Brussels, 18 August 2022 (TDI): Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg met with Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, and Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti.
The two leaders separately called on the NATO Secretary-General. The meetings took place on 17 August in Brussels.
Meeting with Serbian President
The Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg praised the current calmness in Northern Kosovo while meeting with the Serbian President. Also, he asked all stakeholders to “act with restraint and avoid unhelpful rhetoric.”
Good meeting w/#Serbia‘s President @avucic on the situation in northern #Kosovo and the wider region. @NATO_KFOR will take any measure necessary to preserve safety & security for all communities. All must engage constructively in the EU-led Belgrade–Pristina dialogue. pic.twitter.com/JWOFqD32XT
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) August 17, 2022
In addition, the Secretary-General hailed the planned session of the EU-mediated discussion between Serbia and Kosovo.
Moreover, he urged both participants to partake in good faith in the meeting scheduled on 18 August. Furthermore, he referred to the meeting as “the platform to find a solution that respects the rights of all communities.”
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“We will continue to work with your country to promote our goal of peace and security in the Western Balkans,” the Secretary-General added, referring to the long-standing relationship of NATO with Belgrade.
Meeting with Prime Minister of Kosovo
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also met Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. In the joint press conference, NATO Secretary General again appreciated the recent de-escalation of hostilities in Kosovo’s north.
Good meeting w/@albinkurti. #NATO is fully committed to our @NATO_KFOR mission & UN Security Council mandate to ensure safety & security for all communities in #Kosovo. All parties must engage positively in tomorrow’s EU-facilitated talks & resolve issues through dialogue. pic.twitter.com/LWoFiQRFnw
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) August 17, 2022
Notably, he termed the dialogue “the only way towards sustainable peace.” “It is an opportunity for Kosovo to demonstrate that it is a responsible actor within the Euro-Atlantic community,” he continued.
Also, the Secretary-General reaffirmed NATO’s unwavering dedication to its peacekeeping operation and mission in Kosovo.
NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) has been maintaining a peaceful and stable atmosphere as well as ensuring the liberty of movement for all citizens in Kosovo.
Lastly, Secretary General Stoltenberg said “KFOR’s neutrality is central to its mission success. KFOR is ready to intervene if stability is jeopardized.”
NATO Peacekeeping mission in Kosovo now comprises about 3,700 soldiers from 20 NATO Allies and seven partners.
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