NATO announces decrease in KFOR troops

Rasmussen stated that even though the NATO mission in Kosovo (KFOR) would remain in the province, the number of troops in Kosovo would be decreased to 2,000.

"The security situation is continuing to improve. Of course, there are political complications and scattered security incidents, but the general trend is stable and moving in the right direction," Rasmussen said.

"I must stress that when KFOR finishes its transition to the appropriate level of presence, we will still have 2,000 soldiers on the ground and many more in the reserves if needed," he said.

Rasmussen did not want to talk about deadlines for the final reduction of the number of KFOR troops, however.

"We will stay as long as it is needed and finish the job. It is still early to set any deadlines. We have determined the direction. We told everyone that if the conditions allow it, we intend on gradually decreasing the presence of KFOR troops," he said.

He visited the Decane monastery on Friday and met with Bishop Teodosije, who told him that Serbs and Serbian Orthodox Churches remain under difficult conditions in Kosovo.

Teodosije said that the Church is concerned about the recent attacks on Serb returnees in the village of Zac, adding that the attacks show that "Serb returnees still do not have the minimum amount of freedom and guarantees for a normal and safe life in Kosovo."