Joint press conference

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(As delivered)

Dr. Osmani, dear Vjosa,

Thank you very much for your warm words.

It’s a pleasure to see you here in Pristina, today.

In my first trip to the region as NATO Secretary General.

I’m here to visit the personnel of our KFOR mission. Together with all the Permanent Representatives of NATO’s North Atlantic Council and KFOR operational partners.

Our presence today is another concrete demonstration of the Alliance’s steadfast commitment to lasting security across Kosovo and to regional stability.

We just had a very useful discussion on the security situation here in Kosovo and in the region.

NATO has supported peace and stability in the Western Balkans region for thirty years now.

Our commitment remains strong today. Spearheaded by KFOR, which is currently our longest, as you said and also our largest mission.

Under the excellent leadership of General Enrico Barduani, who’s sitting at the first row, our KFOR troops work relentlessly to ensure a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo.

In line with KFOR’s long-standing UN mandate.

In addition, the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team continues to support the security organisations in Kosovo, through capacity-building, education and training coordination.

A secure Western Balkans region means more security across the whole Euro-Atlantic area.

We must be clear eyed on what lies ahead.

Decades of hard-won peace must not be jeopardised.

KFOR is fully postured to respond to any relevant security developments.

And in that regard, we look forward to continued cooperation between Pristina and KFOR, in line with decades of lasting commitments.

This is important for us.

NATO will continue to play its part, within our mandate for security of all.

We do this in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), in our respective roles as security responders.

Having said that, stability in the region ultimately depends on all sides choosing diplomacy over violence.
The solution to long-lasting peace is political.

In this respect, NATO will continue to fully support the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, led by the European Union.

This is the only way to solve pending issues, and secure a stable future, ensuring that the rights of all communities are respected and safeguarded.

And to move this Dialogue forward, both sides must show flexibility, make the necessary compromises, and focus on the long-term gains.

And I fully understand that this requires difficult decisions, but we must look at the big picture.

Normalisation brings greater stability, more investment opportunities, and also lasting security across the whole region.

For the benefit of all.

And this is the message that I will continue to deliver to all my counterparts in the region.

Dear Vjosa,
once again, thank you so much for welcoming us in Pristina, and for a very useful exchange of views.
To be continued, but for this moment, thank you.