Serbian president reiterates support for NATO engagement in Kosovo after Türkiye assumes command

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday reiterated Belgrade's support for NATO's engagement in Kosovo after Türkiye assumed command of the peacekeeping mission for a year.

Turkish Major General Ozkan Ulutas took over the one-year command of NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) on Tuesday.

"I expressed support for the engagement of NATO's Kosovo Force, the alliance-led peacekeeping mission in the strict, complete, and impartial implementation of mandates based on the UN Resolution 1244, as well as to expect KFOR to maintain a status-neutral position and to act proactively towards the goal preventing any disturbance of the safety situation in the field," Vucic said following a meeting with NATO Commander Admiral Stuart Manc in the capital Belgrade.

Vucic also expressed concern to the NATO commander over the current situation in northern Kosovo.

"I expressed serious concern over the drastic worsening of the already difficult situation of the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija," he said.

Ulutas was handed over the command by Italian Major General Angela Michele Ristuccia at a ceremony held at KFOR headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital.

On the occasion, he said as the first Turkish commander in command of the NATO mission in Kosovo, he is aware of the responsibility that his country and NATO have given him.

"Recent events have shown the unpredictability of the nature of the security and safe environment in the region, which can be destroyed at any time, which makes the existence and presence of the KFOR mission even more important.

Therefore, it is necessary for KFOR to consciously guard this situation, continue to effectively fulfill its mission, and remain alert and ready for any possible development that may affect the security environment," said Ulutas.

Türkiye ranks second in the number of soldiers in KFOR troops, among 27 NATO member countries and partners.

According to official NATO data, of the approximately 4,500 KFOR soldiers, 780 are from Türkiye.

The regular change in command of KFOR comes at a time when tensions in Kosovo's north are high.

On Sept. 24, in an attack by an armed group of Serbs, Kosovo policeman Afrim Bunjaku was killed.