NATO did not approve the formation of the so-called Army of Kosovo, Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic has said.

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic said to Blic that this was opposed by those members of the military alliance that have not recognized Kosovo, "and that also prevents the so-called Kosovo from developing partnership relations with NATO."

"At this point institutions of NATO have an advisory role and provide assistance in developing capabilities in the current mandate of the so-called Kosovo Security Forces (KSF), that are limited to demining and assistance in emergency situations," said the defence minister.

According to him, there are written guarantees that the "KSF" will not be deployed in the area of northern Kosovo.

"I received these assurances from all the senior NATO officials with whom I have had conversations, as well as during bilateral meetings with officials of the countries that have not recognized the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo," said Gasic.

The minister added that Hashim Thaci's statement about "Kosovo having NATO's approval to establish the Kosovo Army" can be interpreted as being made solely for daily political purposes, " in order to place into the background the problems that Pristina has in presenting to the public recently signed agreement in Brussels, that will, among other things, form the Community of Serb Municipalities, as well as the disastrous economic situation and high unemployment rate."