Stoltenberg: KFOR continues to act impartially; it is the responsibility of both sides to reduce tensions

The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, said today that NATO's commitment to KFOR and its mandate in Kosovo was unwavering and that this mission would continue to act impartially, RTCG reports.

At a press conference with the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, with whom he met in Brussels when asked by journalists about tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, Stoltenberg said that it was important to reduce them.

"It is the task and responsibility of both parties and therefore NATO welcomes the efforts within the dialogue with the mediation of the European Union," Stoltenberg said.

He called on both sides to engage in dialogue and to refrain from unilateral actions that could further escalate the situation in Kosovo.

Milatovic said that Montenegro supported the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under the auspices of the EU in order to de-escalate tensions.

"The normalization of relations is the basis of a democratic, stable, and prosperous Western Balkans as an integral part of the European Union," Milatovic said.

Stoltenberg thanked Milatovic for the participation of Montenegrin soldiers in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, which, as he emphasized, was especially important now in times of heightened tensions.

"Montenegro is a valued ally that contributes to common security by participating in numerous NATO missions and plays a key role in the Western Balkans, where it promotes stability and peace," the NATO Secretary General said.