Stoltenberg: Speculations related to changing borders in Balkans undermine stability

Stoltenberg, who held at NATO headquarters in Brussels with Northern Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski, said he has seen the news about the informal document (non paper).

“cannot comment on a document I have not seen. Speculations about border change cause uncertainty and danger for the region's stability. Any speculation about this is useless. For important NATO is security and stability in the Western Balkans. This is important for the security of the region and Europe. NATO supports the region's stability in various ways”, Stoltenberg said.

According to him, NATO will continue to work for stability with members and partners in the region. “Respecting the constructive dialogue and internationally recognised borders is the best way to ensure stability and security in the region”, Stoltenberg stressed.

Pendarovski: Ideas related to changing borders, extremely dangerous

Northern Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski has praised as extremely dangerous “” ideas related to changing borders in the Balkans. Recalling the talks that have been held with EU countries and NATO members, Pendarovski said that “I especially want to stress that no one supports these types of documents. The lack of open recognition in public opinion of those who wrote these is proof that they themselves are ashamed of those thoughts”.

“These documents only form those who cannot support even the national interests of the citizens of their countries”, said Pendarovski, who intended that those who have prepared the document are people who think that good will come when people are divided into ethnic grounds. The English-made document, based on “Western Balkans ʹ further”, is said to be not Slovenia's official position and allegedly is “a solution” to the problems facing the former Yugoslavia.