Stoltenberg: NATO wants solution, not permanent presence in Kosovo

He said that NATO does not want 5,000 troops in Kosovo but wants to leave once that is possible but warned that the situation is too dangerous to pull out now. According to him, everyone is aware that KFOR’s withdrawal brings the risk of violence and instability.

Stoltenberg said that the Alliance and the Serbian authorities do not always agree on everything and added that official Belgrade should explain what happened in Zvecan in May when a number of KFOR troops were injured and in September in Banjska when 4 people were killed in an armed conflict. Those are two very serious incidents, he said, adding that the perpetrators have to be held accountable. The NATO chief welcomed Belgrade’s announcement of an investigation. He said an investigation is not NATO’s job and that KFOR does not enforce the law.

Stoltenberg said that NATO respects Serbia’s military neutrality and its decision to join the European Union but not the Alliance which, he said, would never pressure any country to become a member.

The NATO Secretary General said that Russia is waging a misinformation campaign in the Western Balkans and is interfering in internal affairs and democratic processes in the region.

He warned that no part of Europe is safe from terrorism and recalled that NATO cooperates with Serbia in developing technology to help protect from terrorist attacks.