KFOR Commander: Dialogue, single platform for unresolved issues

During the meeting with Kurti, Bardon said dialogue for normalising reports between Kosovo and Serbia is also the only platform “to reach solutions that respect the rights of all communities, and that is key to long-term security throughout Kosovo and for regional stability”, a spokesman for the KFOR mission announced.

Bardoni also said he is committed to his pledge to promote the unity of efforts with all his counterparts, “in order to ensure co-ordination and reduce the possibility of actions that could lead to tension”.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that during the meeting, he has expressed readiness for close co-operation between the Government, security institutions with KFOR.

“Based about the importance of regular communication and co-ordination in the service of security and peace in the country, and co-operation and joint activities of KFOR and Kosovo security institutions”, Kurti said, according to a media report issued by his office.

Last year, tensions between Kosovo rose after new Albanian mayors received the mandate in four municipalities in the north, inhabited by Serb majority. On May 29th, during protests in front of the municipality building in Zvecan, dozens of KFOR members were injured following the clash with Serb protesters.

Tensions culminated on September 24th, when a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police, killing Sergeant Africa Bulnjak. In the shootout that followed in Zvecan Banjska, three Serb attackers were also killed.

The responsibility for the attack has been taken over by Milan Radoic, former deputy chairman of the Serbian List, the main party of Serbs in Kosovo who enjoys Belgrade's support.

Kosovo blames the Serbian state for organising the attack, but official Belgrade denies it was involved in the attack.

Justice authorities have filed charges in this case against Radojici and dozens of other people, three of whom are arrested in Kosovo.

Radovac and others are believed to be free in Serbia.

Even earlier KFOR has repeatedly reiterated that dialogue is the only way to resolve open issues between Kosovo and Serbia.

Kosovo and Serbia hold dialogue, under EU mediation since 2011. The process is also supported by the United States and KFOR.

In the EU, but even in NATO they are increasingly expressing disappointment over the current flow of dialogue, saying the process is not producing expected results. So has the Secretary General. NATO, Mark Rutte, expressing concern about this. /REL