Stoltenberg talks about tensions in Kosovo and Bosnia: NATO to work for stability, security in this region

Stoltenberg said NATO is determined to help Balkan countries implement reforms for the benefit of citizens and will require real commitment and real progress in reform and reconciliation.

The Western Balkans have come a long way since the 1990s conflict, but recently we have seen tensions rising in both Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with more aggressive rhetoric, stalled reforms and foreign actors working to undermine progress. NATO will continue to promote stability, security and co-operation in the region, including the daily work of our UN-appointed KFOR mission in Kosovo and our offices in Sarajevo and Belgrade. Our co-operation with the European Union remains essential and we will continue to work together to preserve stability and support reforms”, he said.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's structures are important to be unique to the country's stability, Stoltenberg said, commenting on Republika Srpska's recent actions for the dissolution of the state.

“Sic said last year, when we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement, one of the most significant achievements was the creation of Joint Armed Forces. At the end of the war, there were more than 400,000 soldiers, severely divided among three armies; today there is a single professional army of about 10,000 soldiers and 5,000 militias under a single chain of command. Any attempt to weaken state-level institutions will only undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina's” security, NATO Secretary General said.

Stoltenberg stressed that this would have the position for Bosnia's economy and stability.

Secretary - General NATO responded positively when asked whether it has Allenaca mechanisms to prevent mounting tensions, the Express broadcasts.

“NATO is the only transatlantic forum for consultations and decisions on all issues affecting our common security. Crisis management is and will be one of our basic tasks. Security and stability in the Western Balkans are important to NATO. This was reaffirmed at our summit in Brussels and during our recent meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Riga”, he said.

I call on all leaders in the region to demonstrate their commitment to reform and reconciliation. This is the key to consolidating stability across the region”, Stoltenberg stressed.

Stoltenberg's second mandate as Alliance Secretary General ends in September this year. In the past seven years at the helm of NATO, two new members have been added to the Alliance, but it has also faced new security challenges.