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Opinion: Joint press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the informal leaders meeting of NATO Allies from the region, 22-Nov.-2023 [1]

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Date: 2023-11 

(As delivered)

Prime Minister Kovačevski, Dear Dimitar,

Thank you so much for hosting us all here today in Skopje together with NATO Allies from the region. It is good to be together with you all today. And we just finalized and finished a very interesting meeting where we addressed common security challenges we all face in the Western Balkans.

But let me start by saying that the Republic of North Macedonia is a valued NATO Ally, making important contributions to our shared security. North Macedonia also leads by example as a successful multi-ethnic society.

Demonstrating how people from different ethnic and religious groups and backgrounds can live together in peace. And build a country together.

In a few months’ time, we will mark NATO’s 75th anniversary. And at our next Summit in Washington, we will continue to adapt our Alliance for the future. We will strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence. Address growing geostrategic competition. And maintain momentum in NATO’s support to and relations with Ukraine.

Today, in our meeting, was an opportunity to discuss all of these issues. As well as the situation in the Western Balkans. This region is strategically important to NATO. But there are reasons for concern.

We see secessionist threats in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a fragile security situation in Kosovo. And stalled normalisation between Belgrade and Pristina. On top of this, authoritarian states like Russia seek to undermine our democracies with cyber and hybrid threats.

I have just completed a tour of the region. In every stop, I made clear that stability in the Western Balkans depends on all sides choosing dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and chaos. Ending secessionist rhetoric would boost stability and enable reforms in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Re-engaging in the EU-facilitated dialogue is essential to Belgrade’s and Pristina’s path to peace and prosperity. The latest proposals for the establishment of the association of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo could be an important step forward. It is time to overcome regional conflicts that have continued for far too long.

We also discussed Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. There are no signs that Putin wants to negotiate or stop fighting. So I commend NATO Allies present here today for providing vital support to Ukraine. This is even more important when the situation on the battlefield is so difficult.

So Prime Minister, thank you again for hosting us all today. I look forward to working closely with you all as we start to prepare for the upcoming Summit in Washington.

Thank you so much.

[END]
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[1] Url: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_220215.htm

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