NATO chief says 'concerned' about situation in Yemen

By Hasan Esen

BRUSSELS (AA) – NATO supports all international efforts to end the violence in Yemen and to find a negotiated, peaceful solution to the conflict, the head of the alliance said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters before a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during their two-day gathering they would discuss global security challenges, including North Korea, NATO’s role in projecting stability and fighting terrorism, and the alliance's training and capacity-building support for Iraq and Jordan.

Stoltenberg said they would also hold a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission.

Noting that the alliance was "concerned" about the situation in Yemen, Stoltenberg pointed to the recent deaths in the country in "a conflict which has lasted for a long time".

Stoltenberg said NATO was not present and involved in the conflict in Yemen, but supported international efforts for peace there.

"So what we do is that we support all international efforts to end the violence and to find a peaceful, negotiated solution to the conflict."

On the ballistic missile launched by North Korea last week, Stoltenberg said the move "showed once again Pyongyang's reckless disregard for international security".

"We must apply maximum international pressure in order to achieve a peaceful solution," he said.

Asked whether NATO would stay or reduce its presence in Kosovo, Stoltenberg said NATO had no long-term plans.

Pointing to the NATO-led international peacekeeping force KFOR’s role to help promote security and stability in Kosovo, Stoltenberg said NATO's mission in the country was "conditions-based".

"Any reduction in the number of troops will be based on the conditions on the ground. And that's not on the agenda now, because we assess the situation on the ground in a way that is underlining the need for NATO to continue to be in Kosovo," he said.