Stoltenberg: There are reasons for concern, we have responsibilities to maintain peace in the Western Balkans

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, after a meeting in Skopje with leaders of states from the Balkans who are members of NATO, said NATO has the responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the Western Balkan region.

He has thanked Northern Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski for holding a key meeting with Alliance states from Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and Northern Macedonia.

“Western Balkans are of strategic importance for NATO we have a history, presence and responsibility to help maintain peace and stability”, Stoltenberg wrote on X.

Stoltenberg said NATO does not see direct military threat in the region, but is aware of an increase in tensions in Kosovo, even for threats of division in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“This region is very important for NATO and there are reasons for concern. We see threats of division in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a fragile security situation in Kosovo, and a halt to talks between Belgrade and Pristina. Authorities like Russia are jeopardising democratic integrity with cyber threats”, Stoltenberg said in Skopje.

Stoltenberg's meeting with Balkan leaders in Skopje comes after his tour of Balkan countries, including Kosovo, where he stayed Monday and met with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

He said that during meetings in the Balkan region, he has stressed the importance of selecting dialogue and democracy before conflict and war.

“The demands for partition threaten peace in Bosnia, while dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is essential on their path to peace and prosperity. Recent proposals for establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo could be a priority step forward. It is time to overcome regional conflicts”, the chief of the north-Atlantic military alliance underlined.