NATO chief says alliance did not "occupy" Kosovo

Source: Tanjug

BRUSSELS -- NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has strongly rejected accusations heard in the European Parliament that the alliance had occupied Kosovo.

(Beta, file)

"Look, the KFOR mission functions based on the mandate it was given by the United Nations, with the agreement of the sides in the conflict," the western military alliance's secretary general stressed.
He was responding to a question of a Greek MEP who wished to know "for how long NATO would occupy Kosovo."

Rasmussen also noted that the EP in several of its resolutions supported KFOR as a guarantee of security in Kosovo.

"That could hardly be called occupation," said Rasmussen.

The NATO chief was on Monday grilled by MEPs for three hours, much of it dedicated to the alliance's role in Afghanistan, and in Syria.

Rasmussen hopes for implementation

Also on Monday, Rasmussen said he hoped the Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Priština will be implemented as soon as possible and improve the situation in the field.

NATO has promised to support the implementation of the agreement and will do all in its power to help, he told a news conference in Brussels.

He commended the top officials of Belgrade and Priština on their determination to find a political solution and stressed in particular the role of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, who facilitated the talks that ended on April 19 when the agreement on bringing the relations back to normal was initialled.

Rasmussen said he was pleased that both sides trusted NATO and KFOR and saw them as an impartial agency that ensures the implementation of the agreement, and he added that NATO would continue to work within the UN mandate to create a safe environment for all who live in Kosovo.