(MENAFN) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has issued a warning to Kosovo, urging the breakaway province to refrain from deliberate provocations amidst escalating tensions with Serbia. Stoltenberg conveyed this message through a tweet on Sunday, emphasizing the need for Pristina to de-escalate the situation and avoid unilateral actions that could destabilize the region. He emphasized that an European Union-led dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade remains the sole path towards achieving peace and normalizing relations.
In addition to his admonition, Stoltenberg assured that NATO's Kosovo Force, the peacekeeping mission stationed in the territory since 1999, would continue to maintain a safe and secure environment. This statement aims to reassure the affected parties and demonstrate NATO's commitment to preserving stability in the region.
The Secretary General's statement comes in the wake of a tumultuous weekend marked by violent clashes between police forces and ethnic Serbian protesters in several municipalities in northern Kosovo. The installation of three newly-elected mayors under police escort into their offices on Friday sparked outrage among demonstrators, leading to confrontations where protesters allegedly hurled rocks at the officers. In response, the police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
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