KFOR commander: No potential risk of war in Kosovo

NEWS 24.08.202209:58
KFOR Public Affairs Office

KFOR commander Major General Ferenc Kajari assessed that there is no potential risk of war in Kosovo and added that he spoke with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti about the fact that it is not good to talk about war.

The simplest answer is no. I don’t think war is a relevant issue, Kajari told the Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), adding that there are no indications of war and no danger of war because of the presence of NATO and KFOR, Kossev reported.

KFOR has its own resources and it is carefully monitoring the situation at the administrative border and we have not noticed any unusual activities, Kajari said, adding that cooperation with the Kosovo police is good and that they coordinate activities in the field as well as some joint patrols.

Kajari declined to comment on whether the Serbian President asked him to concentrate KFOR troops on the bridge over the Ibar River and said that KFOR and no one else decides on its activities.

Kajari said the UN Resolution 1244 gives KFOR two tasks in Kosovo – keeping the environment safe and in order, and preserving the freedom of movement of all citizens.

If barricades are erected, this prevents free movement, and if an agreement is not reached, then we will reach a moment where KFOR will have to act to enable freedom of movement, Kajari told RTK.

Kajari noted that there is an agreement between the Kosovo security force (KBS) and NATO under which the KBS cannot go to northern Kosovo without the consent of the KFOR commander. That is also how is was in the past, and everyone agreed on this, said Kajari.

When asked about the activities of Serb criminal groups in northern Kosovo, Kajari said KFOR is closely monitoring all activities of all groups in the KFOR area of operation and added that the Resolution obliges KFOR to maintain the security situation in Kosovo and that it will act to ensure a safe environment.

We will use all our capacities to maintain the security situation, Kajari told RTK, adding that KFOR has the means and the mandate to act against all groups that could threaten the security in the area.

KFOR’s primary task is to prevent violence and create favorable conditions for negotiations, said Kajari, adding that if tensions increase and negotiations are not successful, KFOR will act in line with its mandate.