NATO building KSF capacity "within present mandate"

Source: Tanjug

PRISTINA -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that he "saw progress in the security and political situation in Kosovo but much remained to be done."

(Beta/AP)

During a visit to Pristina, Stoltenberg met with the KFOR Commander, Major General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, and addressed KFOR troops, which he praised for their efforts in preserving security and stability in Kosovo.
The NATO secretary general also met with Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Stoltenberg said that NATO “has helped transform Kosovo into a safer place and helped make the Western Balkans more stable.”

”I see remarkable progress in the security and political situation in Kosovo. But much remains to be done,” Stoltenberg said, quoted by NATO’s website.

Asked about his views on Pristina authorities’ plans to form a Kosovo armed force, Stoltenberg said that “it is not up to NATO to decide how the security forces of Kosovo is developed.”

NATO is responsible for “capacity building for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) within its present mandate,” Stoltenberg said.

"Whatever you decide to do, you should do it in a way that does not create new tensions … in a way which does not undermine the progress we have made together,” said the NATO chief.

Stoltenberg also stressed that he was “encouraged that a new round of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, facilitated by the European Union, will take place soon,” adding that he was looking forward to seeing its results.