Robertson: No danger for war Kosovo security, very important for NATO

Former Secretary General NATO, Lord George Robertson, says it unreservedly condemns last year's terrorist attack on Zvecan Banjsk, where police sergeant Africa Bulnjak was killed.

Seeking that those responsible be brought to justice, Robertson stresses the need for an end to violence in the region and to change the image of the Western Balkans from being a problematic area to something contributing to wider European security.

For this reason, he underscores that Kosovo's security is extremely important for the West and NATO.

Although he says there is danger of a new war in the region, Robertson raises concern that if Russia succeeds in military aggression against Ukraine, then the Western Balkans will be another area where Russian President Vladimir Putin will cause trouble.

Kosovo's “Security is extremely important and that is why NATO reinforced its troops here as well. That is why the security in this country will matter in the future, but even though economic security will also matter to the new generation”, he says.

Any violence must be punished and I condemn him [the attack on Banjska] without reservation. But we must eventually see an end to violence in this region. This region has great potential, but needs to change the image of being a problematic area in an area contributing to wider European security”, Robertson claims.

He stresses that despite immediate tensions, there is no danger of war in the Western Balkans, but according to him, Russia is interfering in the region through cyber war.

“I don't believe there is the danger of war in the Balkans, but Russia is interfering in this region as it is attacking Ukraine. And that's why it's so important that European countries unite to ensure Putin doesn't succeed in Ukraine. If he succeeds in Ukraine, then the Western Balkans will be another area where he will make trouble”, Robertson points out.

Speaking of Kosovo's aspirations for NATO membership, Robertson says full membership in NATO would bring lasting peace to the region, but according to him, this is the issue of the largest military alliance.

NATO membership is the question of the NATO organisation. I'm a former secretary general, I have no control over what's happening today”, Robertson concludes. /Kosovopress