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Ulutash: The Balkans Are Strategically Important to NATO; There Will Be No Security Vacuum in Kosovo

KFOR Commander Major General Ozkan Ulutash has said that NATO will not allow a security vacuum to emerge in Kosovo or the Balkans, as this region of Europe is strategically important to the Alliance.

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Ulutash made the remarks in an interview with KP, responding to a question about whether Kosovo would be safe today without KFOR’s presence and what conditions would need to be met for the mission to no longer be necessary.

According to him, over the past 27 years, KFOR has served as one of the pillars of security in Kosovo and as an essential element in maintaining stability in the region. He described the fact that the mission’s presence is now being optimized as a positive sign, given that the overall security situation is stable.

However, Ulutash stressed that NATO and KFOR remain fully committed to Kosovo’s security. He emphasized that the Western Balkans is an area of strategic importance to the Alliance and that its security is directly linked to that of the Euro-Atlantic area, meaning NATO will not allow a security vacuum to emerge.

The major general said KFOR would continue to fulfill its mandate fully and impartially, but added that long-term security can be achieved through political rather than military solutions.

In this context, he said KFOR would continue its role as part of NATO’s broader efforts to support progress in the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. According to Ulutash, this process provides the framework for addressing all issues that remain unresolved, while fully respecting the rights of every community.

Commenting on the high level of trust that Kosovo’s citizens have in KFOR, Ulutash said the NATO force would continue to uphold its long-standing UN mandate and contribute to creating a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo.

He said he was encouraged by the improvement in the security situation and by KFOR’s contribution to this progress. Ulutash stressed that the mission would continue its efforts to preserve the hard-won peace for the benefit of all.