"NATO opposes unilateral moves"

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stated in Pristina Thursday that NATO "opposed unilateral moves". He added that there was no going back to the way things were before and called for the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. "NATO opposes unilateral moves" After a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Rasmussen called on all leaders to abstain from unilateral steps and contribute to a secure future. He welcomed the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the results achieved so far, stressing that the success of the process was crucial for the future of Kosovo and the entire region. “I call on all leaders and communities in Kosovo to continue promoting stability and dialogue. No one will benefit from returning to the tensions of the past,” the NATO official stressed. “Unfortunately, we witnessed this summer how fast such tensions can occur. Incidents are detrimental to Kosovo and a major blow to the achieved progress,” Rasmussen said, adding that NATO would not allow for the accomplishments achieved so far to be jeopardized. “We have witnessed the first achievements in the dialogue on customs stamps. The agreement was the result of a moderate and constructive approach of both sides. I am convinced that both sides will use a moderate and constructive approach in the implementation of the agreement as well,” he said. “The agreement is a clear signal that only a dialogue can lead forward,” he pointed out, adding that a motto was consultations, not confrontations. “Unilateral moves are not constructive,” Rasmussen stated. As for KFOR, he underscored that the mission had a mandate to maintain a secure and peaceful environment, which meant that they could act if this environment was jeopardized. He added that KFOR's mandate implied securing the freedom of movement for the citizens and KFOR forces, if necessary. Rasmussen qualified the meeting with Thaci as good and fruitful, stressing that NATO was committed to the future of Kosovo. “I believe you belong in the Euro-Atlantic community, and what is happening here is important for us, as well as for general stability,” Rasmussen said, adding that NATO and KFOR would continue to be unbiased. The NATO secretary general is visiting Kosovo only a day before September 16, when the agreement on the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings expires. Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Beta, file)

"NATO opposes unilateral moves"

After a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, Rasmussen called on all leaders to abstain from unilateral steps and contribute to a secure future.

He welcomed the Belgrade-Priština dialogue and the results achieved so far, stressing that the success of the process was crucial for the future of Kosovo and the entire region.

“I call on all leaders and communities in Kosovo to continue promoting stability and dialogue. No one will benefit from returning to the tensions of the past,” the NATO official stressed.

“Unfortunately, we witnessed this summer how fast such tensions can occur. Incidents are detrimental to Kosovo and a major blow to the achieved progress,” Rasmussen said, adding that NATO would not allow for the accomplishments achieved so far to be jeopardized.

“We have witnessed the first achievements in the dialogue on customs stamps. The agreement was the result of a moderate and constructive approach of both sides. I am convinced that both sides will use a moderate and constructive approach in the implementation of the agreement as well,” he said.

“The agreement is a clear signal that only a dialogue can lead forward,” he pointed out, adding that a motto was consultations, not confrontations.

“Unilateral moves are not constructive,” Rasmussen stated.

As for KFOR, he underscored that the mission had a mandate to maintain a secure and peaceful environment, which meant that they could act if this environment was jeopardized.

He added that KFOR's mandate implied securing the freedom of movement for the citizens and KFOR forces, if necessary.

Rasmussen qualified the meeting with Thaci as good and fruitful, stressing that NATO was committed to the future of Kosovo.

“I believe you belong in the Euro-Atlantic community, and what is happening here is important for us, as well as for general stability,” Rasmussen said, adding that NATO and KFOR would continue to be unbiased.

The NATO secretary general is visiting Kosovo only a day before September 16, when the agreement on the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings expires.