Ulutaş: KFOR–Serbian armed forces cooperation is a cornerstone of stability, we will continue to support the dialogue

KFOR Commander Major General Özkan Ulutaş said today, following a meeting with the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilovic, in Belgrade, that the close cooperation between KFOR and the Serbian Armed Forces is a cornerstone of their joint efforts to support regional stability, emphasizing that regular contacts between the two sides are essential for transparency, mutual understanding, trust and cooperation.

Ulutaş recalled that this was his fifth visit to Belgrade in his capacity as KFOR Commander and thanked the Serbian authorities for what he described as their continued and outstanding hospitality.

"I would like to highlight the longstanding relationship I have developed over time with General Mojsilovic, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff. I have just held another productive meeting with him," Ulutaş said, according to a KFOR statement.

He stressed that regular communication between KFOR and the Serbian Armed Forces is vital to maintaining transparency, mutual understanding, trust and cooperation.

"Our close cooperation is a cornerstone of our joint efforts to support regional stability. We regularly exchange views on a range of issues of common interest," the KFOR Commander said.

Ulutaş also recalled that, for more than a quarter of a century, KFOR has remained committed to fully implementing its long-standing United Nations mandate by contributing to a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo.

"At all times, we act impartially and in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), within their respective roles as security actors," he said.

According to Ulutaş, in light of the continued improvement in the security situation in Kosovo, NATO will optimize the deployment of KFOR forces in Kosovo and gradually adjust the mission's current troop levels over the coming year.

"The optimization will be gradual and conditions-based, and it could be reversed should the security situation require it. In 2023, we demonstrated how flexible we can be in reinforcing the mission when necessary. At that time, we strengthened KFOR by more than 1,000 troops to respond to a more challenging security environment," Ulutaş said.

He reaffirmed KFOR's unwavering commitment to the lasting security of all people in Kosovo and to regional stability.

"KFOR will remain fully focused on continuing to implement its United Nations mandate in full, for the benefit of all communities in Kosovo, including the Serbian community," the KFOR Commander emphasized.

Ulutaş added that KFOR would continue to play its role in supporting the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"This remains the framework for addressing outstanding issues and finding solutions that respect the rights of all communities," Ulutaş concluded.

Earlier today, during the meeting, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilovic stressed that Serbs in Kosovo do not feel safe and called on the International Security Forces to fulfill their obligations by, first and foremost, protecting the Serb population and Serbian religious, cultural and historical heritage.