NATO concerned about the formation of the "Kosovo Army": The decision was made at the wrong time

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he regrets the decision of the Kosovo Assembly to enact a set of laws that made possible the transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces into the Kosovo Army, despite the warnings and concerns expressed by NATO on this occasion.

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- Although in principle, the KSF transformation is a matter of which Kosovo should decide, we have made it clear that this move comes at a wrong time. NATO supports the development of KSF within its current mandate. With the change of mandate, the North Atlantic Council will have to reconsider the level of NATO engagement with the KSF. All parties must ensure that this decision, made at the wrong time, will not further increase tensions in the region. All political actors in the region must focus on progress in reforms and on dialogue. I spoke with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and with Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and I informed them about the current discussion among NATO members - said Stoltenberg in an interview with CdM.

Stoltenberg stressed that it is important to maintain calm and abstain from any statements or actions that could lead to escalation.

- In this context, I welcome the constant communication between our KFOR Commander Major General Lorenzo D'Adari and his counterparts in the region, including his recent meeting in Nis with the Chief of Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Milan Mojsilovic. We also continue to fully support the normalization process between Belgrade and Pristina, through a dialogue supported by the EU. This is crucial for regional peace and security - said Stoltenberg.

Foto: Tanjug/AP

According to him, the security and stability of the Western Balkans are extremely important for NATO and the Alliance has strong relations with all countries of the region.

- That is true today, as it was in October 2014, when I assumed the post of NATO Secretary General. I monitored the process of Montenegro's accession to NATO, which increased security and stability in the Western Balkans. I also worked closely with the authorities in Skopje, supporting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of their country. In that sense, we welcome the work on the implementation of the name agreement in progress and I am looking forward to the fact that Macedonia will be the 30th member of NATO after the national procedures are completed.

- Bosnia and Herzegovina also make a significant contribution to NATO operations and we fully support their Euro-Atlantic integration path. Serbia is still a valuable partner. NATO fully respects the fact that Serbia does not seek to join NATO in terms of its policy of military neutrality. At the same time, we welcome the fact that Serbia has chosen the path of partnership with NATO. Our partnership benefits both Serbia and NATO - stressed Stoltenberg.

(Telegraf.co.uk / Tanjug)