The commander of KFOR, General Ozkan Ulutash, has been on an official visit to Brussels, namely to the headquarters of NATO.
As he himself announced, he held meetings with senior civilian and military officials of NATO, including Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and with ambassadors from all countries that contribute troops to our KFOR mission.
He says they have informed them about the latest security trends in Kosovo and the Western Balkans and about KFOR’s priorities in the coming weeks and months.
From this visit, he says he received three main messages “which I heard loud and clear in all the meetings I held”.
The first message, according to Ulutash, was that NATO allies and partners fully support KFOR’s efforts to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at any time and impartially.
The second, according to him, was that KFOR is NATO’s longest-running and now largest mission and represents a concrete and tangible demonstration of NATO’s unwavering commitment to regional stability.
“We will ensure that our mission remains well-equipped and well-positioned to continue implementing its UN mandate as a third security responder, in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU mission for the Rule of Law”, declared General Ulutash.
Meanwhile, the third message that he says he received from the meetings held at the NATO headquarters was about the resolution of the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia.
The KFOR commander says that the only solution between the two countries is a political one.
“Thirdly, there can only be a political solution to the current situation. One that recognizes and respects the rights of all communities living in Kosovo. In this respect, NATO continues to fully support the EU-mediated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. And KFOR will continue to play its supporting role”.
“A sustainable political solution depends – ultimately – on a commitment by all parties to refrain from destabilizing rhetoric and actions, and instead engage constructively in EU-facilitated dialogue in good faith. This is key for the sustainable security of all people living in Kosovo, for a better future for the generations to come, and for regional stability”, stated in a video message, the commander of KFOR, general Ozkan Ulutash.
