‘Not giving up’ on political solution to Kosovo clashes: NATO chief

OSLO, Norway (AA): The NATO chief has said that sending additional troops to Kosovo “does not mean” that the alliance has given up on a possible political solution to the ongoing clashes.

Jens Stoltenberg’s remarks came before the informal NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Norway’s capital Oslo.

Responding to the question on whether sending additional 700 NATO troops to Kosovo and keeping a battalion ready in case of a further need means that the alliance expects the clashes may turn into a bigger conflict in Europe after Russia’s war in Ukraine, Stoltenberg said: “This does not mean that we are giving up on a political solution.”

“Our message to both Belgrade and Pristina is that they have to engage in good faith in the EU-facilitated dialogue, that’s the only path to peace,” he urged.

He added: “But at the same time, NATO has the responsibility to ensure stability in Kosovo. That’s why we have been there for many years and are now increasing our presence in the region.”

Reiterating that attacks on NATO peacekeepers are “totally unacceptable,” the NATO chief said that additional troops will be stationed in Kosovo to “ensure a safe and secure environment, and calm down the tensions.”

Tensions have gripped Kosovo with protesters and security forces clashing in the northern Serb-dominated municipalities over the election of ethnic Albanian mayors in the Muslim republic, whose hard-won independence of 1998 is rejected by Serbia.

Albanian Muslims are the largest ethnic group in Kosovo, followed by Greek Orthodox Serbs, especially in the north, near the border with Serbia.

During the clashes, at least 30 NATO soldiers were injured.

Meanwhile, more than 53 civilians were injured by shock bombs and tear gas, according to hospital sources.