Mojsilovic, new KFOR commander discuss security situation in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic spoke on Wednesday in Belgrade with new KFOR Commander Maj Gen Enrico Barduani about the current security situation in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija and joint activities by the SAF and KFOR.

Mojsilovic and Barduani met for the first time since the Italian general took over as KFOR commander in mid-October.

Mojsilovic noted that, under UNSCR 1244 and the Military-Technical Agreement as well as other signed agreements, KFOR was the only legitimate armed formation in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, and requested that international forces in the province perform their mandate in a consistent and unbiased manner and to, above all, protect Serbs and Serbian religious, cultural and historical heritage, the Serbian MoD said in a statement.

Noting that the security situation in Kosovo-Metohija was sensitive and volatile, Mojsilovic said unilateral and provocative moves by the provisional authorities in Pristina, aimed at changing the ethnic composition in the north of the province, posed the biggest security threat.

Congratulating Barduani on his appointment to the new post, Mojsilovic said he expected the cooperation between the SAF and KFOR to remain professional during his tenure and aimed at preservation of peace and stability in the region.