The NATO-led peacekeeping force has issued a call for Kosovo and Serbia to return to the negotiating table in order to address their ongoing issues and prevent further violence in the region.

The appeal comes in the aftermath of a recent shootout between masked Serb gunmen and Kosovo police, resulting in four fatalities and escalating tensions.

Kosovo Force commander, Maj. Gen. Angelo Michele Ristuccia, emphasized the need for both countries to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and create conditions for lasting security in Kosovo and the broader region.

Ristuccia urged a return to the European Union-facilitated dialogue to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

The European Union had presented a 10-point plan in February to resolve political crises between the two nations. Although the Kosovar Prime Minister and the Serbian President approved the plan with certain reservations, those concerns remain unresolved.

Ristuccia expressed concern that without a return to the negotiating table and a commitment to finding a common solution, the delicate balance in the region could become more fragile and volatile in the future.

The recent incident on September 24 saw around 30 Serb gunmen killing a Kosovar police officer, setting up barricades in northern Kosovo, and engaging in a prolonged gun battle with Kosovo police. NATO responded by reinforcing its peacekeeping presence with approximately 200 British troops, with additional deployments expected from Romania and other allies if the situation warrants.

The EU-facilitated dialogue, initiated in 2011, has seen limited results, and longstanding tensions between Serbia and Kosovo persist. The 1998-1999 war between the two nations, which ended with a NATO intervention, has left a legacy of unresolved disputes. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move not recognized by Belgrade.

The current appeal underscores the urgency of diplomatic efforts to address the longstanding issues and prevent further destabilization in the region. (ILKHA)