Representatives of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo (KFOR) described the security situation in the country as calm, but unstable, especially in the northern part of Kosovo, inhabited mainly by Serbs, reported the newspaper “Koha ditore“, quoted by BTA.
A written response to the KFOR Information Office stated that NATO peacekeeping forces conduct both independent patrols throughout Kosovo and along the border line, as well as joint patrols with the Kosovo Police and synchronized, parallel patrols with the Serbian armed forces of the respective side of the administrative boundary line to ensure security.
KFOR is carrying out patrols in various formats in all parts of Kosovo, peacekeeping officials confirmed through a spokesman. The mission informed about the patrols in other cities outside the northern part of the country through various communiques in recent weeks, the publication notes.
The NATO mission added that these patrols, as well as engagements with all local communities, represent a concrete and tangible demonstration of NATO's long-term and unwavering commitment to stable security throughout Kosovo and stability in the Western Balkans.
When asked about the security situation following the Kosovo government's warnings that it would open the bridge over the Ibar River in the northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, KeyFOR said the situation was calm but volatile.
The Kosovo government has said it intends to open the bridge in the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo. The bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic for 25 years and has repeatedly become the scene of clashes between representatives of the two communities it divides – Serbs in the northern part and Albanians in the southern part of Mitrovica.
Serbia and the Kosovo Serbs do not recognize the independence of Kosovo declared in 2008. Belgrade and Pristina are conducting a dialogue to normalize their relations under the auspices of the EU
„In general, the security situation in Kosovo is calm but remains fragile, especially in the northern part of Kosovo. "We are closely monitoring developments and maintaining a visible and consistent presence through regular patrols and engagement with local communities," the mission's response also stated.
KFOR has indicated that it continues to operate in Kosovo as a third security response element after the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).
„We continue to fulfill our mandate at the UN – based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 – to contribute to a peaceful and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo, at all times and in an impartial manner,” said the response of the NATO mission in Kosovo.
KFOR informed that the current mission consists of about 4,600 military personnel from 28 countries, including NATO allies and partners.
NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo, as well as the diplomatic part of the international community, have called on the government of Kosovo not to open the bridge over the Iber to vehicular traffic under the current circumstances. Officials of the mission even repeated several times that they are ready to confront anyone who threatens the security of the country, recalls “Koha ditore“.
The European Union, in turn, repeated several times that the decision to open the bridge should be made within the framework of the dialogue in Brussels.
NATO also expressed disappointment with the actions of the Kosovo authorities in the northern part of the country, where at the end of August the Kosovo police closed Serbian parallel structures in four municipalities, mostly populated by Serbs. Kosovo's international partners reacted immediately, defining these actions as unilateral and uncoordinated, the publication also notes.