Unnamed NATO official said to Novosti daily that NATO is concerned over Pristina’s proposal to transform Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into armed forces without constitutional amendments. Such unilateral steps are not helpful, Novosti daily reported today.

The official also said, the NATO Secretary General passed this message to the Kosovo authorities directly. He also called upon Kosovo authorities to remain in close contact with Belgrade and that NATO position on the armed forces has not changed.

Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci announced earlier in case of not obtaining support from the Serbs for the constitutional amendments, he would submit to the Assembly a draft law on the ransformation of the KSF into an armed force. This draft law reached the Assembly in March, but was withdrawn due to the pressure from the Western countries and the NATO.

“We welcome readiness to include all communities into debate on the KSF future. For years, NATO has supported KSF development as a professional and growing multi-ethnic formation. The structure, mandate and the mission of the KSF are issues for the local Kosovo institutions in accordance with their Constitution,” NATO official said to Novosti daily.