Vučić, Stoltenberg discuss Serbia’s collaboration with NATO, tension in Kosovo

1 year ago 40

Recent tensions in northern Kosovo, the Kosovo Force’s (KFOR) efforts to maintain peace and stability, and Serbia’s collaboration with NATO were among the topics discussed between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Belgrade.

“For two decades, KFOR has guaranteed security and a safe environment for all communities. We will continue to do so impartially under the UN mandate,” stated Stoltenberg.

He highlighted the recent attacks on some NATO members in September, deeming it unacceptable, and stressed the need for those responsible to face justice. However, he expressed satisfaction with Serbia’s cooperation in these efforts.

“We are ready to preserve peace and welcome the coordination between Serbia and KFOR,” said the Alliance’s chief.

President Aleksandar Vučić stated that in Kosovo, “there was no need to secure peace for anyone other than the Serbs.”

“Only Serbs were endangered and attacked, never Albanians. To be even clearer, exclusively Serbs have been attacked since 2001, especially after 2008, and particularly since Albin Kurti came to power”, he added, not mentioning the September EU-dubbed ‘terrorist attack’ or the stream of Serb-led protests over the past years, resulting in injury to police, journalists, KFOR troops and members of the public.

Vučić claimed that 13% of Serbs had left northern Kosovo in the past year due to immense pressure and threats from the Pristina regime.

“If this is not violence, then I don’t know what violence is,” Vučić remarked, acknowledging different perspectives on recent events but emphasising an understanding of Western demands and NATO’s expectations.

The NATO Secretary General sees the path to normalisation through dialogue, urging Belgrade and Pristina to “refrain from escalatory actions.” He supported the formation of the Association of Serbian Municipalities. Still, he cautioned against the buildup of Serbian Armed Forces near the border, stating that it would not help the situation.

Vučić also said that the deployment of Serbian troops is up to Serbia , not anyone else.

“As for the Serbian Armed Forces, they have professionally performed their tasks, never exceeding their rights or authorities, always maintaining a respectful relationship with KFOR and NATO. Where and how we deploy our forces, by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and the laws of this country, without endangering anyone in any way, is our business,” he emphasised.

(Jelena Nikolić | Euractiv.rs)