Situated: KFOR continues efforts to prevent any escalation, ready to respond to any challenge

QUESTIONS: Mr. Ulutat first thank you for your time and the opportunity to carry out this interview. I would like to ask you first about your assessment of the security situation in Kosovo, and what are the main challenges for the KFOR mission this year?

Ozkan Ulustas: Generally, the situation on the ground is calm, but it remains fragile. We are closely following any important security development, including northern Kosovo and especially in several municipalities there, through a visible and flexible presence, which includes regular patrols and engagement with local communities. After rising tensions last year, NATO has deployed hundreds of additional troops. We have quadrupled KFOR's presence in northern Kosovo and tripled the number of patrols, including the area along the administrative border line. Our mission currently numbers about four thousand and 600 troops, from 28 contributing countries, including NATO allies and partners. These are careful steps to ensure that KFOR's mission continues to fulfil its mandate based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 in 1999 to provide a secure environment for all communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement at any time and impartially. One of our priorities is to build relations and try to understand local residents' concerns and their perception of security. This is the key to preserving a safe environment and contributing to the stability of the region. KFOR also continues to create the necessary security framework for dialogue facilitated by the European Union between Belgrade and Pristina to move forward. This is the only way to peace and long-term stability. We will continue our efforts to prevent escalation and are willing to respond to possible challenges by adjusting our presence to the need, in accordance with our mandate. We continue to act as the third security reacter, after the Kosovo Police and the European Law Rule Mission EULEX, with which we co-operate and co-ordinate regularly.

QUESTIONS: Mr. Ulutas, many leaders and experts from the region are talking about the danger of escalating relations between Kosovo and Serbia. How do you comment on these concerns?

Ozkan Ulustas: As KFOR commander, I take their concerns very seriously. We are watching closely any security developments in the region. KFOR continues to implement its mandate based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 to ensure a secure environment for all people living in Kosovo and freedom of movement at any time and impartially. We already have a long relationship with all communities living in this area. We engage them in regular bases. We know that all people living in Kosovo want and deserve lasting peace and security. As the Secretary General said NATO during its visit to the Western Balkans last November, “stability in the region depends on all sides that must choose diplomacy over violence. NATO strongly supports the relaxed dialogue by the European Union between Belgrade and Pristina. Both parties should engage in trust. This is the only way to achieve solutions that respect the rights of all communities”.

QUESTIONS: Secretary - General NATO, Stoltenberg, warned in December last year that the alliance is considering adding a permanent presence of troops in Kosovo. You see this, do you recommend a permanent increase in the number of troops, and what would be their goal?

Ozkan Ulustas: Our mission currently consists of about four thousand and 600 troops, from 28 countries, including NATO allies and partners. Yet, we constantly reconsider our presence and are always willing to change it as necessary or as appropriate. After the tensions last year, NATO deployed about a thousand additional troops in Kosovo. The deployment of these additional troops was a careful step taken to ensure that we can continue to implement our mandate to ensure a safe environment for all communities living in Kosovo.

QUESTIONS: As you mentioned, last year there was a lot of tension, especially in the northern part of Kosovo. What is your assessment of what happened in Banjska last September, and what was the aim of this attack in KFOR's view?

Ozkan Ulustas: First of all, the May 29th attack on KFOR troops and the September 24th violent attack on northern Kosovo against the Kosovo Police were unprotested and unacceptable. The authors of such violence must be held accountable. We have urged relevant authorities in Pristina and Belgrade to conduct the necessary legal investigations to prove the facts and bring those responsible to justice. All these positions were also very clearly expressed by Secretary General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, during his trip to the region last November. In the shadow of violence, NATO deployed about a thousand additional peacekeepers and heavier weapons in Kosovo. This has been the largest reinforcement of our contingent in Kosovo in a decade, and this shows that NATO is willing to maintain peace.

QUESTIONS: Commander Ulutas, in October last year, had a Serb troop rally near the Kosovo border, prompting numerous reactions. You have continued communication with the Serbian Army, what was their response, and what are the chances of a new escalation?

Ozkan Ulustas: I have made it my priority to promote trust-based communication and co-ordination. As KFOR commander, I have regular meetings with many people, including representatives of Kosovo institutions and Kosovo security organisations, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of Serbia, chief of the European Union's Law Rule mission and representatives of the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSBE) and the diplomatic community. I will not speculate about any future scenario, but what I can say is that we are completely focused on our mission, under a clear mandate of the United Nations. Our efforts are essential to sustainable security in Kosovo and regional stability. We are committed to continuing to work closely with all the international and local actors involved to reduce the likelihood of another escalation of tensions. As Secretary General Stoltenberg said, when he visited the region last November, “sustainability depends on all parties that should choose diplomacy instead of conflict. We will continue to support the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue by providing the necessary security framework for diplomacy to move forward. This is the only way towards peace and long-term stability, for the benefit of all communities living in Kosovo. Belgrade and Pristina must take concrete steps to relax the situation and refrain from further irresponsible behaviour. The EU facilitated dialogue is the only way to resolve unresolved issues and achieve a solution that respects the rights of all communities. This is the key to sustainable security in Kosovo and stability in the region.

QUESTIONS: Mr. Ulutas, what is your opinion on Serbia's involvement in the September 24th attack?

Ozkan Ulustas: Serbia is a long-term partner of NATO, through political dialogue and practical co-operation, fully respecting the policy declared by Serbia for military neutrality. Co-operation lies in particular in various areas, including military and scientific. Moreover NATO and Serbia have held joint military exercises in the past. We expect to strengthen our cooperation further. From my point of view, as KFOR commander, I would like to isolate the regular communication channel I have with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Serbia, General Mojsilovic. This is the key to ensuring mutual transparency, awareness of the situation, as well as identifying early warnings that allow us to avoid potential tensions. We are closely monitoring any important security developments in the region. KFOR has a skillful, flexible and visible presence throughout Kosovo. We remain alert and focused on the daily and impartial application of our mandate. We are well equipped and willing to cope with any situation that can affect the security environment, and we continue to operate as the third security responder, behind the Kosovo Police and the European Union's mission to rule of Law, (EULEX).

QUESTIONS: Mr. Ulutas, American intelligence agencies have warned in the latest report that this year could bring new interethnic clashes to Kosovo. What is your assessment of interethnic tensions and has KFOR taken additional measures to increase the degree of security in Serb-run populated areas in Kosovo?

Ozkan Ulustas: As I said, we can adapt to any development of the situation on the ground, but our main goal is to prevent any risk of renewed violence, as well as consolidate a favourable security framework for dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all communities. In this direction, our daily activities conducted by our patrol units, our liaison monitoring teams and our civilian-military co-operation personnel are essential. After the September 24th violent incident against Kosovo Police, tensions have increased in the region, and as a result NATO has deployed reserve forces with additional capacities. We are currently developing more activities, especially in northern Kosovo. These are careful steps to ensure that KFOR has the forces it needs to continue fulfilling its mandate at any time and impartially.

QUESTIONS: How do you see military preparation in Serbia and purchases recently made by Kosovo? Are you worried that this could put KFOR troops in the middle?

Ozkan Ulustas: We closely monitor any development that could affect security throughout Kosovo and regional stability. Me and all troops serving under the NATO-led KFOR mission are focused on carrying out our United Nations mandate, ensuring a safe environment for all people living in Kosovo and freedom of movement at any time and impartially. We will continue our efforts to prevent any escalation and are willing to respond to any challenges that may happen, by adjusting our presence as necessary and continuing close co-operation with the Kosovo Police and EULEX, who are the first and second security responder.