The Chairs of the NATO Military Committee and of the EU Military Committee reaffirm strong commitment to regional stability in a joint visit to the Western Balkans

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The Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, and the Chair of the EU Military Committee (CEUMC), General Seán Clancy, conducted a joint visit to Pristina and Sarajevo, on 28 and 29 April 2026. The visit highlighted NATO-EU shared commitment to stability in the Western Balkans region.

Throughout, Admiral Cavo Dragone and General Clancy reaffirmed the strength and added value of NATO-EU military cooperation, and the complementarity of the efforts carried out by the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission and by the EU-led Operation Althea (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO supports EUFOR under the Berlin Plus Arrangements.

In Pristina, Admiral Cavo Dragone and General Clancy shared views on the ongoing efforts by the KFOR mission – under its long-standing UN mandate - with the KFOR Commander, Major General Özkan Ulutaş. They also observed KFOR activities on the ground, including through a theatre orientation flight. Furthermore, they took stock of the latest security developments, through meetings with representatives of the Institutions in Kosovo, including Mr. Albin Kurti, Mr. Ejup Maqedonci, and the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Lieutenant General Bashkimi Jashari.

“KFOR continues to fulfill its mandate, under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, to help maintain a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo, as well as freedom of movement; at all times, impartially, and in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), in their respective roles as security responders,” said Admiral Cavo Dragone.

The visiting delegations were transported from Pristina to Sarajevo with a military flight provided by KFOR.

In Sarajevo, the Chairs of the NATO and EU Military Committees addressed the Faculty of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Security Studies of the University of Sarajevo, and exchanged views with students on a range of topics, including NATO-EU continued cooperation in support to peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to regional stability.

Admiral Cavo Dragone emphasised that “NATO has been committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina for three decades,” adding that “our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina security and territorial integrity and to regional stability is iron-clad.”

CMC and CEUMC also met with the Commander of EUFOR, Major General Maurizio Fronda, the Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo (NHQSa), Brigadier General Matthew Valas, the Head of NATO’s Political Engagement Support Cell, Ambassador Vladimir Vucinic, the EU Special Representative, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, and the Operational Commander for the European Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lieutenant General Ludovic Pinon de Quincy. Furthermore, they held a joint office call with the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, General Gojko Knežević.