Hard debate between Kosovo delegation, Serbia at NATO Assembly

This morning the delegation attended the work of the NATO Commission for Defence and Security. Three draft reports were discussed on this commission: NATO's developing air and missile stance by Utcu CAKIROZER (Turkey), Russia's War and Allied Support for Ukraine from Rick LARSEN (United States), as well as the Western Balkans: Removal Security Challenges on NATO threshold by Lord Mark LANCASTER (United Kingdom.

In presenting this Draft-report, Lord Lancaster under the preservation of peace and security in the Western Balkans placed the main emphasis on the challenges and threat of tension, which have been created in Kosovo and BiH since 2023, where there was a significant return of violent confrontations in northern Kosovo that culminated with the terrorist attack on Banjska, where a member of Kosovo Police was killed.

It was an alarm call for Western leaders for the seriousness of continuing challenges in the Western Balkans. The lack of normalised relations between Belgrade and Pristina are sowing the threat of serious conflict with possible regional implications, he said further in his presentation.

In response, the Allies strengthened their KFOR mission.

On the other hand, political paralysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina ( BiH also contains a secret potential to undermine the Dayton Agreement, which has maintained a poor peace among the country's main constituent peoples for nearly 30 years. High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina recently warned of “an unprecedented level of attacks” against the post-war settlement, mainly from Republika Srpska (RS), which is increasing threats to secede from BiH together.

After the report there were discussions by participating delegations, where the quality of the report was assessed and the huge significance for the report was highlighted NATO is present in Kosovo through KFOR.

Also proposed were some mechanisms the EU could implement in order to ensure peace in this part of the region.

The influence of Russia and China was also considered dangerous and aimed at destabilizing the region.

Serbia's delegation has already been approached for, as it was told, the limited rights of Serbs in Kosovo, as well as that Kosovo has not fulfilled its duty under the agreement on forming association of Serb majority municipalities.

Members of the Serbian delegation said the KSF is illegal and that the only force accepted for Serbs is KFOR and added international reinforcement to secure the Serb community.

In this debate MP Driton Hyseni thanked Mr. Lancaster for the qualitative report, as well as thanked all NATO allies, including Mr. Lancaster and every soldier for their contribution to releasing Kosovo in 1999.

Contrary to the Serbian delegation, he stressed that “we are facing situations when Serbia's political representatives are making meaningless statements, without referring to reality and with very high potential of destructive approach to peace and stability in the Western Balkans.

You cannot even refer to the southern province of another country, an independent country known by 117 countries, including most NATO members. Also, the statement that security forces' activities in Kosovo are illegal, let me clarify that all the capacities of our security forces, the Kosovo Army, police and other institutions are designed and conducted in full co-operation of Kosovo institutions with NATO, with Allies”, deputy Hyseni stressed.

He also commented on the Russian influence in the region, mentioned in the report, as well as warned that he would submit comments on the report in writing, if seen necessary.

One of the proposals released during this discussion was that of MP Driton Hyseni, who was fully supported by Mr. Lancaster, who demanded that the EU find ways to force Belgrade to sign the agreement and thus be forced to implement it.

The work of other NATO Parliamentary Assembly commissions will continue tomorrow.