Ibishi: Kosovo in NATO within three to five years

Security expert Nuredin Ibishi believes that the current security situation could expedite Kosovo's accession to NATO, with his predictions indicating that this could happen within three to five years.

"Kosovo Security Forces are in a phase of transition, development, training, and increasing the number of personnel and armaments, as well as capacity building. All of this is under NATO supervision. However, one obstacle to becoming a member is that Kosovo is not recognized by four NATO member states. That is the first problem. The second is the phase of accession to the Partnership for Peace program that precedes full membership," Ibishi stated for Kosovo Online.

His predictions suggest that Kosovo could be admitted to NATO within three to five years, but examples from some Western Balkan countries show that they can join the Alliance even before that timeframe.

"I believe that the security situation, both globally and in the region, could expedite the accession phase, meaning that Kosovo's membership could happen earlier. Some Western Balkan member states joined NATO ahead of schedule. They did not meet all the standards as NATO specified regarding weapon standardization, equipment, training... Therefore, it is expected to happen after the completion of the KSF transition phase," Ibishi explained.

He emphasizes that the security situation in the region could accelerate the process of Kosovo's full membership in NATO.

"The potential disruption of peace in the region due to Russia's tendency to expand conflict in the Western Balkans could shorten the admission timeline in the foreseeable future. However, my predictions are that the process of Kosovo's accession to NATO will take a maximum of three to five years," Ibishi said.