Thewesternbalkans
Following NATO official statements, from19 to 22 November 2023, Mr. Yens Stoltenberg visited 4 countries in the Western Balkans – Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and The Republic of North Macedonia. The Secretary General met some leaders of these countries. He also visited the NATO Headquarters in the region. Mr. Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of allied leaders in Skopje with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, President of Croatia Zoran Milanović, and Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić.
The Secretary General met in Sarajevo Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, and visited NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, where he thanked Brigadier General Pamela McGaha and NATO staff for supporting peace and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
During the meetings, Mr. Stoltenberg pointed out that “Allies strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina.” He expressed concerns about secessionist and divisive rhetoric, and malign foreign interference including from Russia, that threatens to undermine stability and hamper reforms. He called on “all political leaders to preserve unity, build national institutions, and achieve reconciliation”.
The Secretary General underlined NATO’s deepening political and practical cooperation with Boznia-Herzegovina, including through NATO Headquarters Sarajevo that supports the EU-led Operation Althea, and a new defence capacity building package that will help to strengthen Bosnia-Herzegovina’s capabilities in crisis management, cyber defence, and countering terrorism.
In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the changed security environment in Europe, NATO increased its support for Bosnia and in 2023 endorsed a new Defence Capacity Building package for the country.
In Kosovo, The Secretary General had a meeting with The President Ms Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu.
During the meeting with Dr. Osmani-Sadriu, Mr Stoltenberg condemned both the outbreak of violence in northern Kosovo in September and the attacks on KFOR troops in May which left 93 injured, describing the attacks as “unacceptable”. Following these incidents, NATO has deployed around 1,000 additional troops to Kosovo, sent heavier armour, and stepped up patrols in the north. These steps will ensure that KFOR has the forces, capabilities and flexibility to fulfil its UN mandate.
Mr Stoltenberg further underlined that stability in the region depends on all sides choosing diplomacy over violence, and honouring existing commitments. He expressed strong support for the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and welcomed the latest proposals for the establishment of the association of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo, saying that “this would be a key step toward normalisation of the relationship, and toward lasting peace and prosperity in the region.”
Earlier on Monday, the Secretary General visited NATO’s Camp Nothing Hill where he met KFOR Commander Major General Özkan Ulutaş and addressed the troops, thanking them for the stability their presence brings to the Western Balkans region.
In Serbia, Mr Stoltenberg met President Aleksandar Vučić on Tuesday 21 November 2023. Mr. Stoltenberg and President Vučić addressed the latest security developments in the Western Balkans, NATO’s role in the region, and strengthening Serbia’s partnership with the Alliance especially in NATO’s Science for Peace Programme and in different fields, including energy and environmental security, advanced technologies, and cyber-defence.”
The Secretary General called on Belgrade and Pristina to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated dialogue, as this is the only path to a lasting peace and stability.
The Secretary General also discussed with Predident Vučić the possibility of resuming joint military exercises, and training for civil preparedness. While in Belgrade, Mr Stoltenberg also met with Serbia’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and saw the latest examples of NATO-Serbia scientific cooperation.
In the Republic of North Macedonia Mr. Stoltenberg met President Stevo Pendarovski, and the President of the Assembly, Talat Xhaferi.
The Secretary General addressed the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia in Skopje on Tuesday (21 November 2023), marking the first such address since the country joined NATO.
In his address, Mr Stoltenberg said the Western Balkans is essential to the security of Europe. He thanked North Macedonia for its commitment to the security of the Alliance, including valuable support to NATO’s KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. The Secretary General welcomed North Macedonia’s help for Ukraine.”
The Secretary General added that North Macedonia is an example of a successful multi-ethnic society.
Speaking earlier following a meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski, the Secretary General said that NATO can rely on North Macedonia and North Macedonia can rely on NATO. The Alliance guarantees Macedonian security. The country is covered by NATO’s air policing. Fighter jets from Greece and Italy patrol the skies to keep Macedonia safe. Mr Stoltenberg also warned that authoritarian states are seeking to undermine our freedom and way of life, including in the Western Balkans.
In the last day of his visit to the Western Balkans (22 November 2023), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met in Skopje with allied leaders from the Region. Hosted by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski of North Macedonia, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania, President Zoran Milanović of Croatia, and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić of Montenegro.
The leaders discussed strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence, growing geostrategic competition, NATO’s continued support to Ukraine, and the situation in the Western Balkans, ending secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the reengagement of Belgrade and Pristina with the EU-facilitated dialogue..
Comments: The visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to three of the countries of the Western Balkans, which are not members of the Alliance, has its logic, given the havelly aggravated situation along the lines of the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East and the need to bring an additional impetus to cooperation between the countries from WB. There are also clear messages from the Alliance to the countries of the Western Balkans regarding the security of the region and the role of NATO.
On the other hand, the final meeting in the Republic of North Macedonia with only the leaders of four NATO member states, in the absence of Bulgaria, Romania and Greece, but with the participation of Slovenia and Croatia, is an attempt to put the emphasis on the countries of the former Yugoslavia and Albania. The inclusion of Albania has its own logic.
Albanians maintain a strong commitment to their country’s NATO membership, with 81 percent of respondents in a national survey showing a positive view of the alliance. The national poll, conducted in October 2023 by the Albanian Institute for International Studies, also indicated some anxiety about potential armed conflict in the region between Serbia and Kosovo, which would have clear implications for Albania. They also worry about Moscow’s meddling in the region, seeing both Serbia and Russia as top threats to Albania.
