Brussels, Aug. 18 (BNA) On the eve of EU-facilitated talks between the two separate neighbors in the Western Balkans, the head of the alliance said that NATO will increase its peacekeeping force in Kosovo if tensions escalate with neighboring Serbia.
“Now we have a big mission, a military presence in Kosovo of about 4,000 soldiers,” Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels who stood by him.
“If necessary, we will move forces, deploy them when needed and increase our presence. We have already increased the presence in the north. We are ready to do more.”
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo erupted this month when Pristina said it would require Serbs living in the north, who are supported by Belgrade and do not recognize Kosovo’s institutions, to start using car license plates issued in Pristina, Reuters reported.
The situation calmed after Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, under pressure from the United States and the European Union, agreed to postpone the number plate base until September 1 and NATO peacekeepers supervised the removal of roadblocks erected by Serbs.
However, Vucic said at the NATO press conference that talks with Kurti on Thursday, which will be facilitated by the European Union, will be difficult because the two sides disagree on almost everything.
Kurti, who later met Stoltenberg, confirmed Kosovo’s intention to become a member of NATO.
“Threats, risks and challenges that NATO faces in the current security environment are also felt by our country,” he told reporters, linking the problems to Russia’s influence.
“Kosovo’s institutions and citizens in the current situation have reasons to be vigilant.”
Kosovo gained independence from Serbia in 2008, after nearly a decade of guerrilla uprising against Belgrade rule.
Serbia still legally considers Kosovo an integral part of its territory. It denies raising tensions and conflict there and accuses Pristina of assaulting the rights of the Serb minority. Ethnic Serbs make up 5% of Kosovo’s 1.8 million population, and they are 90% Albanian.
Vucic said that Serbia wanted to avoid any escalation of the situation, but it was important to understand that there is a “new generation of young people” who see Kosovo as Serbian territory and will not “tolerate terror” anymore.