Latinovic: A quiet process that hints the Alliance is ready to open doors to Kosovo

Former Serbian Ambassador to the OSCE, Branka Latinovic, says that the decision of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's Board to elevate Kosovo's status to that of an associate member is a "quiet process suggesting that NATO is ready to open doors to Kosovo."

Latinovic emphasizes to Kosovo Online that it is a great irony that this is happening precisely on the 25th anniversary of the start of the bombing of the former FR Yugoslavia, i.e., Serbia and Montenegro, and it is not a pleasant message, considering everything that happened and what was the reason for the engagement.

"It coincides with what we hear as statements from officials, including the recent debate between the US ambassadors in Pristina and Belgrade, who is closer to NATO, what quality of cooperation is taking place, but this is a, so to speak, quiet process suggesting that NATO is ready to open doors to Kosovo in a suitable manner and as much as possible, especially with the formation of the KSF and their arming with certain types of weapons, which is still in line with what is defined by the Ahtisaari Plan. I believe that there are also limitations in the Kosovo Constitution on what they can or cannot have," Latinovic notes.

However, she reminds that things are happening on the ground in a way that is not at all pleasant for Serbia.

"Not only is it unpleasant, but it is also not good from a security perspective because it means that a part of the territory is getting closer to stronger cooperation with NATO. I don't think the question of membership will be resolved in the near future, but a process is opening up that can diversify it in a suitable manner and enable a higher quality of presence because, as we can see, it means increasing the quality of presence of Kosovo parliamentary delegations in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, thereby allowing them a higher and more meaningful level of participation in what is on the agenda in the assembly," Latinovic says.