Latinovic: Sekerinska's appointment shows NATO continues to prioritize the Western Balkans

Former ambassador and member of the Forum for International Relations, Branka Latinovic, stated that the appointment of Radmila Sekerinska from North Macedonia as NATO's new Deputy Secretary General is a positive development and indicates that NATO continues to place special importance on the Western Balkans.

Latinovic emphasized that, first and foremost, Sekerinska's appointment confirms her capabilities and suitability for the role.

"Secondly, the fact that she is from the Balkans region, compared to the previous Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoană, who is from Romania, highlights that she is from the Western Balkans. This, in a way, demonstrates that NATO continues to assign special importance to the Western Balkans in its distribution of roles. Considering everything happening in the region, including the ongoing fragile situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the unfinished normalization process between Belgrade and Pristina, it is evident that this remains a volatile area requiring special attention.

"This appointment also reflects the need for people who are familiar with the region and who can more easily understand the issues and propose solutions," Latinovic said to Kosovo Online.

Sekerinska's appointment is also significant for North Macedonia itself, Latinovic pointed out, considering the challenges the country faces with one of its neighbors and the delays in obtaining a date to begin EU accession negotiations.

"In a broader context, within a larger mosaic, this could contribute to a more dynamic continuation of the Western Balkans' path toward the EU and, in turn, strengthen stability in the wider region," Latinovic said.

She also highlighted that NATO, by appointing Sekerinska, has reaffirmed the importance of the Western Balkans, while also emphasizing the appointee's deep understanding of the region.

"This is undoubtedly a personal satisfaction for Sekerinska and a recognition from NATO for her efforts, particularly during North Macedonia's early stages of negotiations with the EU when the country was a pioneer in that process. Her work on North Macedonia’s accession to NATO and the Prespa Agreement, which is essentially NATO’s creation, has been acknowledged," Latinovic concluded.