NATO: Any further step in relations with Kosovo requires consensus from all allies

Any further step in relations between NATO and institutions in Kosovo requires the consensus of all Alliance members, NATO told Kosovo Online.

Commenting on the recent resolution in the U.S. Congress supporting Kosovo’s integration into NATO, a NATO official emphasized that the Alliance has been cooperating with Kosovo for years in maintaining peace and stability, including through KFOR and the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team.

“All further steps toward consolidating relations with the institutions in Kosovo require the consensus of all Allies,” the NATO official stated in response, referring additional questions on the matter to the U.S. authorities.

In a written response to our portal, the Alliance called on the institutions in Kosovo to demonstrate flexibility and make progress in the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue.

“We encourage the institutions in Kosovo to strengthen good governance for the benefit of all citizens living in Kosovo and to demonstrate flexibility and achieve progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. That should be the focus. This will contribute to strengthening Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and consolidating security in the Western Balkans region,” the NATO official said.

U.S. Congressman Keith Self, together with Congressman Mike Lawler, recently introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives expressing strong support for Kosovo’s integration into NATO.

Congressman Ritchie Torres also introduced a resolution calling for U.S. troops to remain within the KFOR mission in Kosovo until KFOR fully completes its mission.

It should be recalled that four NATO member states do not recognize Kosovo: Greece, Spain, Romania, and Slovakia.