KFOR Commander, Major General Ozkan Ulutaş, paid a visit to Belgrade, emphasizing that NATO's commitment to the region is as strong and unwavering as ever.
Ulutash emphasized that the security of the Western Balkans is closely linked to the security of Europe and the entire Euro-Atlantic area.
"I am honored and pleased to be back in Belgrade, during my second mandate as Commander of the NATO-led KFOR mission... I am particularly grateful to General Mojsilović, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, with whom I have already developed an open and fruitful cooperation during my first mandate as head of KFOR. I look forward to meeting him again soon," Ulutaš is quoted as saying in the press release.
Ulutas further said that regular and open communications between KFOR and the Serbian Armed Forces are vital to address relevant developments and prevent any potential risk of escalation, in a prompt, transparent and constructive manner.
“In the coming weeks and months, I will play my part to ensure that we continue to make the best use of our regular communications. For more than 25 years, KFOR has played an integral and essential role in maintaining peace and ensuring a safe environment for all people living in Kosovo.
"NATO's commitment to the region today is as strong and enduring as ever. This is because the security of this region is closely linked to the security of Europe and the entire Euro-Atlantic area," Ulutash said.
The KFOR Commander further stated that KFOR is fully focused on implementing its long-standing UN mandate – based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 – to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo.
"...KFOR remains committed to providing security, which in turn helps create the necessary conditions for political dialogue...", it further states, while noting that KFOR continues to support the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, as a framework for addressing unresolved issues, for the benefit of all people.
"As Commander of KFOR, I will spare no effort to ensure that our mission remains an important contributor not only to sustainable security throughout Kosovo, but also to stability in the region," he was quoted as saying. /Telegraph/
