NATO promises to continue to fulfill duties in Kosovo

BRUSSELS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- NATO's responsibility and capability to ensure a safe and secure environment in Kosovo remain unchanged, the 26-member military alliance promised Monday.

"Following Kosovo's declaration of independence yesterday, NATO reaffirms that KFOR (the NATO-led peacekeeping force) shall remain in Kosovo on the basis of UNSCR 1244, as agreed by foreign ministers in December 2007, unless the UN Security Council decides otherwise," NATO's top decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, said in a statement.

The 16,000-strong KFOR will continue its mandate in an impartial manner in accordance with its Operational Plan, said the council, which met Monday to assess the latest situation in Kosovo following its unilateral declaration of independence Sunday.

Kosovo has been policed by KFOR since 1999 under UN Security Council resolution 1244.

NATO will respond resolutely to any attempts to disrupt the safety and security of the population of Kosovo, said the Council statement.

"NATO continues to attach great importance to the implementation of standards in Kosovo, especially regarding the rule of law, the protection of ethnic minorities and communities, as well as the protection of historical and religious sites," it added.

The military bloc reiterated that it would continue helping in the development of "a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo."

"NATO will continue to cooperate closely with the population of Kosovo, the United Nations, the European Union (EU) and other international actors wherever appropriate," said the statement.

Kosovo was a southern autonomous province within Serbia before the breakup of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Majority of its population are ethnic Albanians.

Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence was vehemently opposed by Serbia and Russia. A group of EU states, including Spain, Romania, Cyprus, Greece and Slovakia, are also against the territory's independence.

"Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo. Serbia has reacted and will react with all peaceful, diplomatic and legal means to annul this act committed by Kosovo's institutions," Serbian President Boris Tadic has said.