Danger of external interference in Balkans high: Mattarella

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, DEC 19 - "The integration of the entire Balkan region into the EU necessitates calm. For 25 years, KFOR has been committed to this mission. I have been paying close attention to it, and I have noticed that the local climate is sometimes deliberately heated, making dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina difficult. Your mission to keep it alive is critical," stated Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
    MAttarella spoke to the Italian KFOR command mission in Kosovo during a ceremony of good wishes for Italian contingents serving in international theatres of operations. "The risk of interference from outside the Balkans is extremely high.
    Mattarella concluded that without KFOR, there would have been violent explosions that would have devastated the country during those years. (ANSA).