Shea: NATO commits more to security in Kosovo, sides return to dialogue

Former spokeswoman NATO during the time of the last war in Kosovo, Jamie Shea, has called for NATO troops to increase their engagement in Kosovo due to high tensions with Serbia.

Shea has said the situation in the Western Balkans is sensitive, and according to him, the gathering of the Serbian Army near the border with Kosovo does not help the situation.

He has demanded that the parties return to the table of dialogue.

There is no doubt that the situation in the Western Balkans is sensitive, so NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's visit is of particular importance. Since spring the situation has been very tense in Kosovo. First was the issue of plates, elections in the north, and recently peaked with the paramilitary action in Zvecan Banjska, where a Kosovo policeman was killed. Stoltenberg's presence in the Balkans shows that NATO looks to the region to offer security and peace”, Shea has said.

In addition, Shea estimates that NATO should take more measures for Kosovo's security and deploy its troops along the borderline in the north.

“In no form does Kosovo pose a danger to Serbia and it is absurd to think otherwise. If it is certain what Prime Minister Kurti said Belgrade has deployed anti-aircraft systems near the border with Kosovo then this is serious. Those anti-aircraft systems would pose more danger to KFORI helicopters because Kosovo does not have such tools available. I really am hoping Serbia has not taken such action. Given all these circumstances, I consider it necessary to increase the number of KFORI soldiers in Kosovo and to position themselves along the border in the north. In that part of the country, transportation of arms and other dangerous means” should be daily averted, Shea said.

Former spokeswoman NATO has said Russia's influence on the Balkans has fallen, however, according to him Moscow is still intent on creating unrest.

Russia is always aiming to create problems for the West and is looking for opportunities to do so. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned of Russia's danger and influence in Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia also promotes and supports populist forces in the Balkans everywhere to create divisions. Nowadays, however, Russia's power has fallen sharply and cannot be compared to the power of the West”, Shea declared a tv1.

Just two days ago, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he is looking like a paramilitary and terrorist reshuffle by Milan Radojic and that Serbia has been dislocating anti-aircraft systems near the border with Kosovo.