KFOR Commander: This is the situation in the north, following Ivanovic's murder.

I can say that the situation is stable, and according to what happened in recent weeks, we had a sense of responsibility, which we received from all Kosovo citizens. I was at the meeting in the north with representatives of the northern part and the institutions in northern Kosovo, where we all sat together to see how we can take on a greater responsibility and work together for a more peaceful and stable country”, he said.

He says that even after the last event in the north, where Oliver Ivanov was killed, KFOR and all other security institutions in Kosovo, are trying to keep a calm situation, although the case in question in some way, according to him, has slightly affected the security situation in the country.

“We are working closely to provide a safe and secure environment and are working to guarantee freedom of movement, for all citizens of Kosovo. We're trying our best that this recent episode is not something that will affect or affect the overall security situation. We, along with all the institutions in particular with the international community, have been trying and trying to, to keep a situation calm, and I have to say because the event that happened last night, was something deep emotionally, which in some ways may have touched Kosovo's security, but we're trying to keep the situation calm. Let's work, continue and evaluate security with maturity for this reason I say we all think that it's a very good security situation”, he said.

He has also talked about meeting with Serbia's Army Chief of Staff, General Lubisa Dikovic, who had said he was notified by KFOR commander, that there may be riots in Kosovo, however Cuoci has said he has told him there is no need for concern.

We had a call, plus we had a date. This is something that happens under KFOR's mandate. We do this and we connect with all the countries in the region. So, from time to time, we exchange information about the situation. We also do the assessment of security forces and make the overall situation assessment. That was normal at the time, because that's something under the mandate and I've already told him that's a quiet situation. So nothing was happening in the country and we're working and there's no need for concern. Because the situation is under control. KFOR, institutions in Kosovo and international organisations are taking care of the” situation, he said.

Cuoci has spoken about KFOR's co-operation with Kosovo security mechanisms. He said that with security institutions in Kosovo, they have very good co-operation in order to ensure a quiet environment.

I have to say it's very good co-operation, we have a very good relationship, with everyone and we rely very much on each other. It's a connection we have with security institutions, to ensure a quiet environment. We do the same work with the Kosovo Police, as with EULEX, with all of them we have a very good connection, so that under our mandate, we can secure your country and continue with the same level of co-operation and with the same level of connection that we have established to provide a quiet” environment, he said.

KFOR Commander Cuoci also stopped by KFOR's co-operation with the countries in the region, claiming they have excellent co-operation with Albania, Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, with whom he belongs as partners to exchange information.

As for the KSF and the transformation into armed forces, he said it would support everything if done through constitutional changes.

“We support him. The KSF and we try to further increase the capacity of the KSF so that they can carry out their duties, under the current mandate. Whatever goes wrong is within the current mandate. We have a special framework for consultation that was created directly by Brussels and deals directly with the KSF. And that's the first part. The second part of the transformation of the KSF, the position of NATO is such that we will support everything that is done under the changes of the Kosovo constitution, this should be done by law and then we as NATO all that is done and support only if it is done with the Constitution of Kosovo, if you can do it without any problem”, he said.

While he said there is no plan for reducing KFOR troops in Kosovo. Although at the moment this is happening, it is a good signal and a sign of the ability that Kosovo can carry out on its own.

There is no plan, no sign, which will have the reduction of NATO troops in Kosovo. NATO is committed and continues to remain committed, in support of Kosovo. For now I think there is no need, that there will be any possible reduction of KFOR troops in Kosovo. Whether or not this is going to happen will only become an assessment of the best situation on the ground. When this happens, it'll be seen that there's no need for us here. KFOR continues to do the same work, continues to do control of the border administrative line, without any change in it, continues to ensure a safe and secure environment for all. Freedom of movement and all of these are within the current work. So there is no possible difference in the number of members. We also have reserve forces, which if they need to come, but I still say to NATO that we are still very great and powerful. There is no plan for reducing the number of members. I need to check again if something like that remains to happen NATO and KFOR will do it only when the situation becomes better. Only when they see that there will be no need for us in the field anymore... I have to say the situation is calm. General security situation is calm. But if we see any threats, threatening Kosovo citizens, it is something else. But if NATO decides to make the reduction of the number of members in Kosovo, then you have to see this as a good sign, as a sign of discretion and ability, to carry out your own duties”, he said.