Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula has said that Kosovo aims to advance its path towards NATO membership, emphasising the importance of the Partnership for Peace and cooperation with international allies in the field of security.
She praised KFOR’s role in maintaining peace in Kosovo for more than 27 years, as well as the support provided by international partners in building and strengthening the country’s security institutions.
“When we look at this strategy, we see it as a cornerstone for advancing our path towards NATO membership. Here, the Partnership for Peace, our sophisticated framework for NATO membership, makes our objective clear: we want KFOR one day to be not only a peacekeeping force, but also a direct instrument of security,” she said.
Shiroka-Pula stressed that KFOR has played a special role in maintaining peace, while highlighting the responsibilities Kosovo’s institutions have assumed in responding to security challenges and protecting citizens.
“For more than 27 years, this mission has played a particularly important role in maintaining peace, and Kosovo’s history is closely linked to it. Over the years, with the support of our international partners, we have built and strengthened our security institutions, which today bear direct responsibility for responding to security challenges and protecting our citizens,” she said.
The president also emphasised the importance of the Partnership for Peace for overall security and public confidence.
“Beyond our security architecture, the Partnership for Peace continues to hold particular importance. Its presence, mandate and cooperation with global institutions contribute to overall security and public confidence,” she said.
Shiroka-Pula added that Kosovo welcomes the presence of its allies and participation in joint security exercises and international missions, in line with its strategy and aspirations for NATO membership.
“To symbolise this commitment to peace and security, we welcome the presence of our allies, participation in joint security exercises and international missions, in accordance with our strategy and our obligations as a future NATO member,” she said.
