NATO requests an end to the deadlock

NATO member states contributing soldiers to KFOR stated that the situation in northern Kosovo is unsustainable, state sources in NATO. Defense ministers and representatives of member states are meeting this week in Brussels to discuss NATO activities around the world.

The situation in the north of Kosovo is the main topic of discussions in the NATO Council, with non-member states of Alliance, but contributing states to the KFOR mission taking part. KFOR Commander General Erhard Drews and the Head of EULEX Xavier de Marnhac addressed the meeting through a video call from Pristina. Sources in NATO told daily newspaper Koha Ditore that one interlocutor said “the situation in north of Kosovo is very tense, it cannot be permitted to become a status quo”. Many responded saying that only political discussions can resolve the situation.

The KFOR commander told participants that KFOR physically can remove the barricades, but it fears inciting further tension. At the meeting, KFOR recent actions were defended. However, some NATO diplomats said that if there were a clear political will, then KFOR could act more decisively and remove the barricades quickly. But many NATO states expressed support for a political solution and would like further political pressure to be put on Belgrade to encourage local Serbs in the north of Kosovo to take down the roadblocks.