Kosovo is seeking Partnership for Peace, NATO Remembers Understanding of All Countries Needed

Kosovo's warnings that it will seek involvement in NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme are seen as evidence of this state's commitment to follow the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, but diplomats in Brussels recall that the realisation of these aspirations depends on the collective will of all 30 coalition member states.

Kosovo's citizenship does not recognise four NATO member states -- Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain -- and this fact could even become an obstacle to Kosovo's formal involvement in the Partnership for Peace.

“All decisions in NATO, including for Partnership for Peace, are taken by consensus by the Atlantic Council”, a NATO decision-making body has said NATO for Radio Free Europe.

NATO has not officially supported either the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (FSK) into the military, though this step has been supported by many member states.

From NATO they continue to insist that they support the construction activities of the Kosovo security forces, but underline that this applies only to their original “mandate”.

“NATO remains completely committed to Kosovo's security. Our KFOR mission continues to provide safe environments and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999. Any change in KFOR's presentation remains based on conditions and on the time calendar”, a NATO official has said.

Politically, NATO continues to support normalisation of reports between Pristina and Belgrade, including through EU-attensive dialogue.

The dialogue process, NATO considers “the only sustainable solution for both sides and the entire region”.

Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, with European Union mediating, has started in 2011. / REL/