Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, stated that NATO’s bombings against Serbian military targets in 1999, aimed at stopping violence in Kosovo, were “the right thing to do.”
Blair made the comments in Pristina, on the 25th anniversary of the end of this campaign, which ended the war.
“It is a moment of deep emotion to be here again. I believed it was the right thing to do then, and I believe now it was the right thing to do,” Blair said at a press conference with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.
“In 1999, your role as British Prime Minister was crucial. Just as you were a hero to the people of Kosovo, to freedom, and democracy then, you are a hero of peace today,” said Osmani, addressing Blair.
Blair will also address the members of the Kosovo Assembly with a speech.
As Prime Minister, he was one of the key figures who set the NATO intervention in Kosovo in motion.
The bombing campaign lasted 78 days and ended on June 10, 1999 – a day after the signing of the Kumanovo Agreement.
This agreement, negotiated between NATO and Yugoslav military officials, led to the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo and the establishment of an international peacekeeping force, led by NATO.
This is Blair’s third visit to Kosovo since 1999.