The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has called on NATO to increase the number of peacekeeping forces in Kosovo.

The Kosovar Prime Minister made the request during an interview given to the German newspaper Die Welte.

In his statement, he also underlined that the substantial increase in NATO’s presence in Kosovo and military equipment would increase security throughout the Western Balkans.

“A substantial increase in NATO soldiers and military equipment in our country would improve security and peace in Kosovo and throughout the Western Balkans region,” Kurti told Die Welte.

Kurti’s request comes at a time when tensions between Kosovo and Serbia culminated with the resignation of Serbs from Kosovo’s institutions and the installation of barricades in the North.