Rutte: NATO is not part of the agreements signed in Tirana and Belgrade

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that he must refrain from commenting on every global event, including those in the Western Balkans. He also emphasized that the Alliance is not part of the agreements signed in Tirana between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo, nor the one signed in Belgrade between Serbia and Hungary.

Rutte made these remarks during a press briefing in Brussels ahead of tomorrow’s NATO foreign ministers' meeting.

"NATO is not part of that. We have seen many such agreements recently, including the one in Tirana between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo. NATO is not involved in that," Rutte said.

Speaking about the security situation in Kosovo, Rutte stressed the importance of maintaining stability.

"When it comes to Banjska and the attack on KFOR soldiers, we expect those responsible to be held accountable. I conveyed this to President Vučić during our phone conversation, as well as when we met in Brussels," Rutte emphasized.

When asked about his stance on the agreement in Tirana, Rutte reiterated that he must exercise restraint in commenting.

"We have five allies in the Western Balkans (Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, and North Macedonia), and we cooperate with them very closely. As Secretary General, I need to be cautious about commenting on every event worldwide, including those in the Western Balkans. For example, the Netherlands and Belgium collaborate on many issues, which is, of course, different from what you are asking, but I believe I should not comment on every event," the NATO Secretary General responded.

Regarding the verdict against the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, Rutte stated that he expects Dodik to accept the ruling.