Ibishi: Kosovo's upgraded status in the NATO PA will contribute to membership in the Alliance

Security expert Nuredin Ibishi believes that the status of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly associate member, which Kosovo received yesterday, will contribute to its membership in the Alliance by becoming a member of the Partnership for Peace in due course.

"With this upgrade in the hierarchy of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Kosovo becomes a close participant in decision-making. It can now make amendments and comments on all NATO Parliamentary Assembly documents. Previously, this had to be done through another delegation, but now it can be done directly. The participation of Kosovo's parliamentary committees will contribute to peace not only in Kosovo but also in the Balkans," Ibishi told Kosovo Online.

He recalls that the Kosovo Security Forces are currently undergoing a ten-year transformation plan that lasts until 2028 and that there are demands from the president, the prime minister, and the defense minister for Kosovo to become part of the Partnership for Peace as soon as possible.

"When this development plan is completed, and perhaps even before that, I think there will be an opportunity for Kosovo, in addition to participating in the Adriatic Charter, to join the Partnership for Peace, before full NATO membership," Ibishi stated.

Yesterday, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly voted positively on upgrading Kosovo's status from observer to associate member of the organization.