Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has stressed the importance of preventing destabilisation in Kosovo as the country prepares for its parliamentary elections on February 9. 

Tensions have been high in northern Kosovo, a Serb-majority area, for the past two years, raising fears of potential unrest during the upcoming elections. Nato maintains a military presence in Kosovo through its peacekeeping mission, KFOR, and has reiterated its readiness to intervene if necessary.

As Kosovo approaches its elections, the focus remains on maintaining peace and ensuring the democratic process unfolds without disruption, with Nato playing a crucial role in safeguarding stability in the region.

Rutte stated that Nato is in close contact with both Kosovo and Serbia to ensure stability during this critical period.

He made the remarks during a debate in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Policy and Defence, highlighting Kosovo-Serbia relations and the situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina as key concerns in the Western Balkans.

"Of course, we have some concerns there, especially about the situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina, but also the relations between Serbia and Kosovo," said Rutte, according to a report by Koha.net on January 13, adding that Nato would not allow any security vacuum in the region.

"The Western Balkans region is a key neighbourhood for us. We must remain closely engaged," Rutte said, stressing that Nato is coordinating with local authorities to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

During the debate, Rutte also highlighted the broader security challenges facing Europe, citing Russia’s ongoing efforts to destabilise Nato member states and the European Union.

"We are deeply concerned about security in Europe. We are not at war, but we are not at peace either," he said, according to a Nato statement, calling for stronger cooperation between Nato and the EU and increased investment in defence by member states.