Skopje, 22 November 2023 (MIA) – It is necessary to increase the number of NATO troops in Kosovo and to guarantee the border between Kosovo and Serbia, a border which is out of control and used for illegal activities, arms trafficking, narcotics, and activities that are then involved in political activities, with an ultranationalist background, which cause great disruptions, said the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, at a press conference in Skopje after the informal meeting Wednesday of allied NATO leaders from the region.

Rama voiced concern that despite repeated attempts to increase both attention and the number of troops, the event in the village of Banjska occurred, which, he said, “should serve as a hint and shouldn’t be seen as a sporadic event”.

“This event exposed the enormous potential of destabilization and escalation of a conflict which can only be solved and treated through dialogue and negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia,” said the Albanian PM.

In response to a journalist’s question, Croatian President Zoran Milanović said that after the incident in the north of Kosovo, he remained very reserved regarding the introduction of sanctions on Belgrade.

“I was very reserved in terms of the necessary reaction to Belgrade and the introduction of sanctions that many were advocating for. I think that as a foreign policy instrument, sanctions are wrong. And I didn’t do that in order to free Croatia from any responsibility for any inadmissible behavior, I did it out of my own conviction, without expecting any favor in exchange,” said Milanović.

The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, earlier on Wednesday said there is concern in NATO over the development of events in certain Western Balkan countries, which is why the strength and importance of the Alliance in the region must be recognized.

“NATO has been present in this region for many years. In Kosovo, we have already increased our presence with around 1,000 extra troops and also with some heavier armor. We are vigilant and we are closely monitoring the situation. And we will always do what is necessary to protect and defend all our allies,” Stoltenberg said.