Italian president warns of growing risks in the Balkans, highlights KFOR’s key role

December 20, 2024 – Italy’s President, Sergio Mattarella, has warned about increasing external threats to the Balkans, stressing that KFOR plays a key role in maintaining peace in Kosovo. Speaking at a ceremony for Italian peacekeepers, Mattarella said the region’s security is vulnerable to outside interference, which could cause more tensions.

“For 25 years, KFOR has worked to keep peace in Kosovo,” Mattarella said. He pointed out that local tensions are sometimes raised on purpose, making it harder for Kosovo and Serbia to have a meaningful dialogue. “Your mission to keep the dialogue going is crucial,” he added.

Mattarella also warned that without KFOR’s presence, Kosovo would have seen violent outbreaks. “The risk of outside interference is very high,” he said. “Without KFOR, Kosovo would have been destroyed by violence in the past years.”

KFOR, a NATO-led peacekeeping force, has been in Kosovo since 1999, following the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. The force has helped prevent further violence and supported efforts to resolve tensions between the two countries.

Mattarella’s comments come at a time when Kosovo faces major challenges in its relationship with Serbia and in its efforts to join the European Union. Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008 has not been accepted by Serbia, and political tensions continue to complicate Kosovo’s EU aspirations.