NATO welcomes every additional contribution of KFOR. Having NATO member from Western Balkans, which joins KFOR, helps in the improvement of stability in the region. Currently, 28 NATO members have their troupe in KFOR. Montenegro, as NATO partner, has given a very important contribution to the Euro-Atlantic security and today, as full NATO member, Montenegro is still a reliable provider of security, said general Salvatore Cuoci, commander of the KFOR mission in Kosovo commenting the decision of our country to send two members of the Montenegrin Army into this mission.
“As the commander of KFOR, I periodically have meetings with heads of defense of those countries which border with KFOR’s region of responsibility. We do that in order to improve our dialogues and mutual understanding and the cooperation is great. Whatsoever, Alliance officials confirmed during the last NATO Summit held in July that NATO is committed to the establishment of stable relations with Serbia, while fully respecting their military neutrality”, said Cuoci.
According to him, we are facing common security challenges and joint cooperation can bring Serbia real advantages.
“Strengthening relations between NATO and Serbia is useful for the Alliance, for Serbia and the whole region. We welcome every further political dialogue and practical cooperation”, said Cuoci.
Cuoci also spoke about the current situation in Kosovo and he explained that KFOR’s mission is to contribute to the safe environment and freedom of movement, as prescribed by the of the UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
“Police of Kosovo is responsible for the everyday security in Kosovo. In case that the security situation gets worse and they are not able to control the situation, they will seek for the intervention of the second responsible, which is EULEX (European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo). Then, if the situation gets even more worse, and the police and EULEX fail to maintain law and order, KFOR is called for intervention. That is the third response. KFOR is always well aware of the situation and right now, there are no signs of growing tension”, said Cuoci.
He added that wartime is over.
“Everybody should be looking forward to brighter future. NATO will keep supporting the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština which is of key importance for peace and security in the region”, concluded Cuoci. .
