Novakovic: There is no chance for Kosovo to join NATO

Senior associate at the Center for International and Security Affairs, Igor Novakovic, stated that regardless of the statements made by officials in Pristina and certain Western analysts, there is absolutely no chance for Kosovo to become a NATO member without the support of those countries that do not recognize its independence.

“The matter is very simple. I believe there is absolutely no chance,” Novakovic said for Kosovo Online.

He noted that Kosovo’s entry into the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has not brought it any closer to membership.

“This body is of a more informal nature, it is not directly connected to NATO, meaning it does not reflect the will of NATO governments, but is composed of parliamentarians and decisions are made there by a simple majority,” the analyst said.

He emphasized that NATO operates by consensus when it comes to admitting new members.

“So, unless all member states agree, there is no chance for Pristina to join the North Atlantic Alliance,” Novakovic clarified.

He reminded that Kosovo is not even a member of the Partnership for Peace program, which many describe as the “antechamber to NATO.”

“Kosovo is not a member of this program either, so this is more of a speculative matter coming from experts who are optimistic, but essentially, unless all member states agree, nothing will come of it,” Novakovic concluded.