NATO Determined to Assist Western Balkan States that Don't Want to Join Alliance, Too

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The foreign ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states will discuss issues of key importance for the Alliance at an online conference on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, including the continuous strengthening of the Russian army, the rise of China and the mission in Afghanistan, discussing the Western Balkans and Kosovo, too.

The tentative agenda EURACTIV was given access to says that NATO believes that the future of the Western Balkans lies in Euro-Atlantic cooperation and integration for those who want to join the process, but that the Alliance is determined to help the states of the region to carry out reforms for the benefit of their citizens, whether they want to join NATO or not.

It is not an easy path, and it requires true commitment and genuine progress in the reform process and reconciliation, but it can be done, just as North Macedonia did. For that purpose, all regional leaders are asked to demonstrate their commitment to reforms and reconciliation.

As said in the agenda, NATO strongly supports the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, describing it as vital for both, and key to regional peace and security.