2023-10-06 19:12:02
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — NATO-led peacekeepers on Friday called on Kosovo and Serbia to return to the negotiating table to resolve their problems and prevent acts of violence, such as the recent shooting between Serbian gunmen. and the Kosovo police that left four dead and intensified tensions in the region.
Kosovo Force (KFOR) Commander Major General Michele Ristuccia called on both nations to “refrain from inflammatory and counterproductive speeches to help create the conditions necessary for lasting security in Kosovo and throughout the region.”
Ristuccia told a news conference that he fully supported the dialogue facilitated by the European Union to normalize their ties.
The European Union presented a 10-point plan in February to end a months-long political crisis. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic approved the measure at the time, but with some reservations that have not been resolved.
“If the parties do not return to the table… and do not find a common solution and do not negotiate for a political solution, I think this will become more fragile and volatile in the future,” Ristuccia stressed.
Around 30 heavily armed Serbian men killed a Kosovo police officer on 24 September and then set up roadblocks in northern Kosovo, where they exchanged gunfire for hours with members of the Kosovo police. Three Serbs died during the incident.
NATO reinforced its peacekeeping presence in Kosovo with around 200 British soldiers after the incident. The deployment of more elements from Romania and other countries is planned in case the situation requires it, Ristuccia indicated. The KFOR is made up of around 4,500 soldiers from 27 countries.
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Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; is like and Bajrami as
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