NATO Secretary General opening remarks - Meeting with non-NATO KFOR Contributing Nations

Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers with non-NATO KFOR Contributing Nations

Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to this meeting of Defence Ministers of NATO and partner nations contributing to our KFOR mission in Kosovo.

Je voudrais souhaiter la bienvenue à Monsieur Pierre Vimont, secrétaire général exécutif du Service européen pour l'action extérieure. Nos deux organisations sont présentes sur le terrain au Kosovo. La KFOR et EULEX font ensemble un excellent travail pour assurer la sûreté et la sécurité de toute la population du Kosovo. Tandis que la KFOR continue de contribuer à la sûreté de tous, la présence d'EULEX reste essentielle pour l'édification d'un Kosovo sécurisé, démocratique et multiethnique, fondé sur l'état de droit. Il nous faut absolument continuer de renforcer mutuellement nos efforts : le Kosovo pourra ainsi viser, pour l'avenir, son intégration dans la famille euro-atlantique, et tourner le dos aux conflits du passé.

Last year saw an upsurge of violence in Kosovo.

At our meeting today we will review the security situation in the northern part of Kosovo.

The mission and the Commander of KFOR have our full support. KFOR has done an excellent job in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo. And it will continue to fully implement its mission in accordance with its United Nations mandate.

At the same time, it is vital that the EU-sponsored dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina continues. And that it produces sustainable results. The parties must come to an agreement on the whole range of issues related to the northern part of Kosovo. This dialogue represents an historic opportunity to build a better future -- and they must seize this opportunity, for the benefit of all the people of Kosovo.

And now, I thank the representatives of the media for having joined us this morning.