NATO and KFOR are “very concerned about the security situation and the possibilities for its deterioration,” urging parties to engage in dialogue to find a political solution, stated an official of the Alliance in Washington, marking the organization’s 75th anniversary.

“At NATO, we believe that the solution and stabilization of the security situation in the future will depend entirely on political solutions. We have continuously emphasized the need for EU-mediated dialogue and constructive diplomatic engagement. We have also stressed the need to avoid unilateral actions that could provoke security incidents,” said the NATO official anonymously to the media.

He noted that “it is regrettable that engagement in dialogue has not produced agreements or moved towards deepening dialogue, implying that tensions on the ground continue to have consequences for security.”

“We continue to encourage both parties to engage as constructively and as beneficially as possible, because the only true solution to the situation is a political one,” he added.

According to the official, NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo have increased their capacities, raising the number of troops from 3,700 to 4,600, marking the largest increase in NATO forces in Kosovo since its declaration of independence in 2008. Among other concrete measures, NATO troops have quadrupled their presence in northern Kosovo and tripled patrols along the Kosovo-Serbia border.

These enhanced security measures follow escalating tensions in northern Kosovo, particularly after violent protests left over 90 KFOR soldiers injured on May 29 in clashes with Serbian protesters opposing the implementation of boycotted local election results by Serbian political parties. Violence erupted after Kosovo authorities escorted municipal mayors to their offices with police forces, despite Western calls to avoid such actions.

The situation in Kosovo further escalated on September 24, when a police officer was killed and at least two others wounded during clashes with an armed group of Serbs in the predominantly Serbian-populated village of Banjskë. Three members of the armed Serbian group were killed during the day-long clashes, raising concerns about stability in the fragile region.

A significant amount of arms was confiscated during this incident, for which Kosovo blamed Serbia, accusations that Belgrade dismissed, stating that the group consisted of Kosovo Serb citizens angered by Pristina’s approach.

These security incidents were followed by heightened concerns from the United States about increased Serbian military buildup on the Kosovo border and Serbia’s demand for urgent withdrawal of forces from the border.

Regarding these security incidents, the official stated that NATO continues to urge “both parties to treat these situations with utmost seriousness, especially in terms of responsibility.”

“It is very important for NATO, not only because our soldiers were injured on May 29, but because accepting responsibility is part of moving forward in this political process. All parties must feel a sense of responsibility and feel that their voice is being heard, so that we can move towards a sustainable solution,” the official declared.

/k.s/