NATO remains firmly committed to preserving security and stability in the Western Balkans, said Brigadier General Pierluigi Lodola, head of NATO’s Military Liaison Office in Belgrade, in a statement emphasizing the Alliance’s response to the 2023 violence in Kosovo and its broader regional strategy.
In an interview with Kosovo-Online, a Serbian-language outlet in Kosovo, Lodola noted that the violence prompted one of NATO’s largest reinforcements of the KFOR mission in a decade, with up to 1,000 additional troops deployed and a heightened readiness posture in northern Kosovo.
“We continue to call on the Serbian authorities to ensure that those responsible for the 2023 violence in Kosovo are brought to justice,” Lodola stated.
NATO Backs EU-Facilitated Dialogue
General Lodola reiterated NATO’s full support for the EU-mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, calling it the “only viable framework” for resolving political issues while fully respecting the rights of all communities involved.
He welcomed the appointment of Peter Sørensen as the new EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue and confirmed recent high-level engagements with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska and KFOR Commander Major General Özkan Ulutaş Barduani.
“Progress requires both Belgrade and Pristina to implement existing agreements. Flexibility and readiness to compromise are essential for long-term peace and regional stability,” he emphasized.
Security Cooperation and Regional Commitment
Lodola also praised ongoing cooperation between KFOR and the Serbian Armed Forces, including coordinated patrols along the Kosovo-Serbia border. These efforts, he said, enhance security and foster collaboration for the benefit of all communities.
“Security in the Western Balkans is vital for NATO. We will not allow it to be jeopardized,” Lodola asserted. “Serbia is a key partner in the region, and we count on its role in contributing to stability and good neighborly relations.”
