Peacekeeping forces are “able to do extra” in Kosovo if wanted, NATO Secretary-Common Jens Stoltenberg mentioned Wednesday, as Western officers work to cut back tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. 

A long-running border dispute sparked fears of an escalation within the area earlier this summer season: Protesters blocked roads in northern Kosovo over new guidelines requiring Kosovo Serbs to make use of Kosovo-issued automobile license plates and for individuals getting into the nation to obtain particular entry paperwork.

“Whereas the scenario on the bottom has improved, it’s the accountability of all events, notably officers from Belgrade and Pristina, to forestall escalation once more,” Stoltenberg advised reporters.

The NATO chief held separate conferences in Brussels on Wednesday with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti to debate the latest tensions, a day forward of EU-facilitated talks between the 2 leaders. 

“I name on all sides to indicate restraint and to keep away from violence,” Stoltenberg mentioned. 

The NATO-led Kosovo Power (KFOR) has practically 4,000 troops within the nation. And whereas it’s not the primary responder to incidents, it’s the closing choice to intervene if the scenario deteriorates.

“Simply that presence in itself helps to stabilize, helps to cut back tensions and helps us additionally to forestall escalation and any kind of battle,” the secretary-general mentioned.

“Now we have already elevated the presence within the north, we’re able to do extra,” he mentioned, including nonetheless that “we’ll act when wanted and we act in a proportionate approach as a result of our essential purpose is to assist to cut back tensions and to make sure all communities the liberty of motion, the security of all communities.” 

Kosovo’s Kurti cautioned about the opportunity of deepening tensions.  

Talking to POLITICO following his talks at NATO, the prime minister mentioned “there may be an elevated hazard” of escalation. 

Kurti mentioned he hopes KFOR would stop “any such reoccurrence of these roadblocks, which impede the liberty of motion, but additionally safety of our police forces and residents.”

At Thursday’s dialogue with EU Excessive Consultant for Overseas Affairs Josep Borrell, the 2 sides are anticipated to debate each present tensions and broader points. 

The EU has been facilitating a dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo since 2011. However Kurti mentioned Brussels ought to be extra engaged. 

“I feel there may be far more warning than braveness, and this isn’t useful,” he mentioned. The EU, based on the prime minister, “ought to be extra agency, extra clear, and extra energetic.”

Serbia’s Vučić, in the meantime, mentioned following his dialogue with Stoltenberg that the scenario is seen in a different way amongst completely different nations.

“Please don’t anticipate Serbs to take pleasure in and say how they’re having a very nice time,” the president, who spoke in Serbian, mentioned in a press convention at NATO headquarters. “There’s a new technology of children, of younger males, within the north of Kosovo,” he mentioned, who “is not going to put up with the phobia, they don’t see Kosovo as an impartial state.” 

The president additionally mentioned he needs the edges to speak — whereas accusing his critics of misrepresenting Serbia’s motives. 

“There are a number of issues,” the Serbian president mentioned, “and what’s vital for us [is] that with the assistance of KFOR, we should always protect peace and protect stability.”