E fundit!

08:08 POLITICS

Balla mocks Agron Shehaj, message to protesters: He betrayed Luli, Muli, Saliu, not you

The head of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taula...

KFOR Commander: Continuation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue requires courage and commitment of the parties

2024-09-25 20:26:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

KFOR Commander: Continuation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue requires courage and

The commander of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, Ozkan Ulutash, said that the continuation of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia remains essential, but said that it requires courage and sincere commitment from both sides. According to him, this is possible to achieve.

"This dialogue is not just a political necessity, but also a moral imperative for the sake of future generations", said Ulutash.

During an address in Brussels, at the headquarters of NATO, at the end of his mandate at the head of KFOR, Ulutash said that the dialogue process continues to face obstacles.

"Unfortunately, there are still many challenges. There are still tensions and mistrust between communities that are hindering progress. The political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia continues to face obstacles. In this regard, NATO and KFOR fully support the dialogue mediated by the European Union as a framework for a long-term solution to the outstanding issues. I remain optimistic that with patience, commitment and a constructive approach from both sides, these obstacles can be overcome," he said, according to a media release. The chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia traveled to Brussels earlier this month, but they did not hold a joint meeting, due to disagreements about the topics they should discuss.

Meanwhile, the prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vu?i?, met for the last time on September 14, 2023, due to apparent disagreements.

Speaking about the security situation, Ulutash said that KFOR has worked with all communities to provide them with a safe environment. He said that during the leadership of KFOR, he oversaw coordination in a number of fields with the EU, OSCE, UN, Kosovo institutions and with the commander of the Armed Forces of Serbia.

"This cooperation remains critical for the benefit of security throughout Kosovo and for the stability of the region," he said.

KFOR is the third security responder in Kosovo, after the Kosovo Police which is the first and after the EU rule of law mission, EULEX.

The NATO mission in Kosovo is also responsible for the security of Kosovo's borders with Serbia. Meanwhile, the rest of the border line is supervised by the Kosovo Police.

Finally, tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have increased due to a series of decisions by the Government of Kosovo in the northern part of the country - inhabited by a majority of Serbs - that the Government of Kosovo says it has undertaken to establish the rule of law. The international factor has described them as unilateral and uncoordinated actions.

KFOR has stated several times recently that it is ready to undertake "any necessary action" to respond to any development that may affect regional security and stability./ Rel