NATO for the Kosovo Army: Between Serbia and Kosovo there is not yet an agreement but...

NATO Military Committee Chairman Petr Pavel, at a conference on media, said the establishment of the Kosovo Army is a country's right, but must be done in line with the Constitution and laws in force.

Regarding new members in the North Atlantic Alliance, General Pavel said NATO follows the policy of the two openers for any state that meets reforms in the field of defence. While Albania's Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Bardhil Kolcaka identified the country's commitment to adding peacekeeping contingents to Afghanistan.

At the conclusion of the NATO Military Committee meeting, at a joint press conference NATO Military Committee Chairman General Petr Pavel and Chief of General Staff General Bardil Kolcak said that the centre of the discussion was the security issue worldwide.

Asked by reporters about Kosovo's state efforts for the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces, General Pavel said that between Serbia and Kosovo there is not yet an agreement, but the establishment of the military must be made in line with the Constitution and laws of the countries.

“For the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces still does not have an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo. The establishment of the army must be done in line with the Kosovo Constitution and laws, and this is one of the recommendations the secretary general has made. We are not saying that Kosovo has no right to have its own army, but it must be done in line with constitutional deadlines and obligations”, Petr Pavel said.

As for further expansion through the membership of countries in the region in the North Atlantic Alliance, General Pavel said NATO follows open door policy for states that meet the criteria in the field of defence.

“NATO has repeatedly expressed itself to the policy of open doors and there is no change in this stance. There are some aspiring countries to be part of this alliance that are working on defence field reform. Once they reach the level set for membership, I believe the negotiation process will start to allow them to become full-fledged members”, Petr Pavel said.

While Albanian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Bardjel Kolcaku said Albania will continue to make its contribution to peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan.

This is the first meeting held in Tirana at this level of representation of military authorities.

The recommendations on the countries' commitment to the fight against terrorism, the initiative for construction and establishment of defence capacities in Iraq will also be forwarded, as well as KFOR status in Kosovo.