NATO leaders value partnership with Serbia

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NATO leaders said on Monday that the Alliance values its partnership with Serbia and added that it is committed to the stability of the Western Balkans as a region of strategic importance.

“We value the NATO-Serbia partnership. Strengthening NATO-Serbia relations would be of benefit to the Alliance, to Serbia, and to the whole region. We support the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and other efforts aimed at the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and urge the sides to seize the moment and engage in good faith towards reaching a lasting political solution,” a communique issued from the NATO summit in Brussels said.

The leaders of the NATO member states said that they remain committed to NATO’s continued engagement in Kosovo, including KFOR “which contributes to a safe and secure environment and to wider stability in the Western Balkans, and through ongoing capacity building efforts with the Kosovo security organisations”. “Any changes to our force posture in KFOR remain conditions-based and not calendar-driven,” the communique said.

“NATO remains strongly committed to the security and stability of the Western Balkans and to supporting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the countries in the region. We will intensify our efforts in the region and enhance our political dialogue and practical cooperation in order to support reform efforts, promote regional peace and security, and counter the malign influence of outside actors,” it added.