PRISHTINA, Aug. 12 /ATA/ – NATO-led mission in Kosova, KFOR, could increase its troop presence if future developments threaten security and regional stability, its commander, Major General Ozkan Ulutash, said after meeting Serb List leader Zlatan Elek.
The meeting was held at KFOR headquarters in Prishtina at Elek’s request, following the Serb List’s opposition to plans for a gradual reduction of KFOR’s presence at the main bridge over the Iber River in the northern Kosova city of Mitrovica.
KFOR said the sides discussed security in northern Kosova and the planned process to optimise the mission’s deployment.
Ulutash told Serb List representatives that the adjustment was being introduced because of an improved security situation in Kosova. He said the process would be gradual and based on conditions on the ground, while troops could be redeployed if future developments affected security and regional stability.
“KFOR remains equipped and positioned to respond to any relevant developments,” the mission said, adding that the transition at the Mitrovica bridge was still in its initial phase.
KFOR said it would maintain a strong presence in North Mitrovica and northern Kosova even after the process was completed.
The Serb List had called for the reduction to be halted, arguing that security and political tensions around the bridge warranted caution. It also said Kosova Police lacked the trust of the local Serb community and described KFOR’s presence at the bridge as an important stabilising factor.
The main bridge over the Iber connects predominantly Albanian southern Mitrovica with predominantly Serb northern Mitrovica. KFOR has guarded the bridge since the end of the 1998-99 war, and it remains open only to pedestrians.
KFOR said it would continue to operate impartially under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, in coordination with Kosova Police and the EU rule-of-law mission EULEX.
/REL/u.sh/
