Sekerinska: The Western Balkans remains a strategic priority for NATO

On the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defense ministers, the Alliance’s Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska emphasized NATO’s firm and long-term commitment to the security and stability of the Western Balkans, highlighting the important role of the KFOR mission and NATO’s continued support for the political dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, RTK reports.

“Although we are talking about global security challenges, the situation in the Western Balkans is always high on our agenda. KFOR remains our longest-running and largest mission, clearly demonstrating the region’s strategic importance to the Alliance,” Sekerinska stated.

As RTK reminds, in response to security challenges, including attacks on KFOR personnel in 2023 and the incident in Banjska, NATO reacted by increasing troop numbers and strengthening its presence on the ground.

“In doing so, we have shown our genuine commitment, not only through military presence, but also by supporting the political dialogue mediated by the European Union. We believe that the only sustainable path to peace leads through political negotiations, and we support that process with concrete action on the ground,” Sekerinska emphasized.

Speaking about cooperation with regional countries, she particularly underlined the importance of the partnership with Serbia, which she said is based on mutual benefit and voluntariness.

“Serbia has been a NATO partner for quite some time. We work together on numerous projects, from cybersecurity and energy to innovative scientific initiatives such as the DEXTER project. This partnership holds value both for NATO and for Serbia,” she stressed.

She also pointed out that KFOR’s voice is now heard and respected both in Pristina and in Belgrade, and that the people of Kosovo recognize KFOR’s role as a guarantor of peace and stability.

When asked about Russian influence in the Western Balkans and beyond, the NATO Deputy Secretary General warned about ongoing attempts at destabilization through hybrid actions, disinformation, and political interference.

“NATO is not observing these developments passively. We are investing more than ever in strengthening our military capabilities, but also in the resilience of our societies. We sent a clear message from the Hague Summit: we will defend every inch of the Alliance’s territory and will not allow NATO’s unity and determination to be questioned,” Sekerinska stated.

Sekerinska concluded by saying that NATO will continue to be a reliable partner to the countries of the Western Balkans, working to preserve peace, stability, and the region’s European perspective.