Rutte: NATO remains committed to Kosovo

“NATO is committed to Kosovo and the fact that I am here is the best proof of this,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Tuesday.

Rutte said that the KSF was supported, but for NATO membership, Kosovo’s statehood must first be recognized by the five countries that have not yet done so.

Coordination was necessary for the north, Rutte said on Tuesday.

“Recently we have increased the presence of KFOR troops in Kosovo, we have quadrupled the presence of our soldiers in the north, we have tripled the physical presence of KFOR in the north, and this is proof that KFOR wants to be a representative of stability, not only in Kosovo, but in the whole region,” Rutte said in an interview with Radio Television of Kosovo.

When asked how he saw the concerns of the Kosovo leadership, which sees Serbia as a permanent threat to Kosovo and stability in the country and the region, Rutte reiterated his commitment to neutrality, but mentioned the need for Serbia to take responsibility for what happens in 2023.

The NATO chief emphasized that the USA was strongly committed to the Western Balkans.

“It would be good if the dialog was resumed and of course Serbia has to take responsibility for what happened in 2023, but it is also important that Kosovo refrains from unilateral actions.” “Building trust is important and this would be a good basis for further talks, always under the mediation of good officials designated for the Kosovo-Serbia dialog,” he said./The Geopost/