NATO official: KFOR will remain deployed where security is most needed

Our military mission will remain fit for purpose and focused on the areas where security is most needed while a political solution is being sought, a NATO official told Kosovo Online in response to a question regarding media reports alleging that KFOR intends to withdraw from the main bridge over the Ibar River and cease providing security for the Visoki Decani Monastery.

In a written response to Kosovo Online, the NATO official referred us to a statement reading as follows:

"Based on continuous security assessments and consultations with regional experts, NATO has begun optimizing KFOR's presence in Kosovo. This will take place gradually over time and at different locations across Kosovo, and KFOR's current force levels will, over the course of the next year or slightly longer, be adjusted to the levels that existed prior to 2023. This will ensure that our military mission remains fit for purpose and focused on the areas where security is most needed while a political solution is being pursued. Should relevant security developments warrant it, the optimization process, which will be carried out in accordance with conditions on the ground, may be reversed. NATO continues to support the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and calls on both sides to engage constructively in addressing the remaining issues and reaching a solution that respects the rights of all communities. This is essential for lasting security in Kosovo and stability throughout the region," the statement said.