NATO Commander: Serbia strengthening peace, stability in region

US Air Force General Todd Walters, who took the oath in May as the highest commander of Allied Forces in Europe, a post always held by an American military, was hosted by General Milan Mojsilovic, the head of the Armed Forces of Serbia, before meeting with President Aleksandar Vucic and Defence Minister Aleksandar Voulin.

We talked about a wide range of topics and am happy to say that with hard work and commitment, Serbia is promoting peace and stability in the Western Balkans”, General Wolters said in a statement prepared for the Serbian Voice of America service.

The general did not answer questions if he was planning to visit Kosovo during his stay in the region.

President Vucic published a statement after meeting with General Walters, in which he called international peacekeepers led by NATO in Kosovo (KFOR) as the guarantor of security for Serbs living there.

Vucic also said General Walter agreed to establish a telephone line for emergency communication between Serbian forces and KFOR, to quickly eliminate tensions or episodes of violence.

The good co-operation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR is important” so that any crisis situation in Kosovo can be prevented immediately, President Vucic said. “This is a security guarantee for the Serbian people in Kosovo”.

General Wolters, in response, expressed his support for Serbia's efforts to preserve stability and develop co-operation in the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with President Vucic in Belgrade on Monday and pledged to help revive talks between Serbia and Kosovo.

During his visit, the first to Serbia and a French president since 2001, Mr. Macron also voiced support for Belgrade's stated goal of joining the European Union, although he reiterated his view that the EU should adopt reforms before adding new members.

Historically close ties between Belgrade and Paris were severely damaged when NATO forces bombed Serbia in 1999, as well as France's recognition of Kosovo's independence in 2008.

Serbia is officially on track to become an EU member since 2008. The country also maintains close ties with Russia and China, whose growing influence in the Balkans has sparked concerns in the West.

“I asked France to help us on our European path and solve the Kosovo crisis,” said Mr. Vucic of his meeting with the French president. / VoA