NATO will increase its peacekeeping forces in Kosovo if tensions with Serbia escalate, Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, Reuters reported.

"We have now a significant mission, a military presence in Kosovo close to 4,000 troops," Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels. "If needed, we will move forces, deploy them where needed and increase our presence. We have already increased the presence in the north. We are ready to do more."

Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo flared earlier in August when Pristina said it would oblige Serbs living in the north to start using license plates issued in Pristina.

The situation calmed down after Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, under pressure from the US and the European Union, agreed to delay the introduction of the license plate rule until Sept. 1.

However, Vucic told a NATO press conference that the negotiations with Kurti, which will be facilitated by the EU, will be difficult because the two sides disagree on almost everything.

Vucic said that Serbia wanted to avoid any escalation of the situation, but it is important to understand that there is "a new generation of young men" who consider Kosovo to be Serbian territory and will no longer tolerate terror.