Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, has stated that the prospects for Kosovo’s accession to NATO are much stronger than in the past. He attributes this to changes in the global security environment and the positions of international partners.
“Changes in the strategic security environment, shifts in the global security landscape, the position of the United States in relation to NATO, and evolving threats worldwide mean that opportunities are likely much greater than before,” Maqedonci said.
He highlighted that in December of last year, a provision in the U.S. Defense Authorization Act addressed the issue of NATO membership for Western Balkan countries. Currently, only two Western Balkan countries are outside NATO: Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Serbia has not expressed interest in joining and has openly opposed NATO membership.
Maqedonci emphasized the support of the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European Union countries, noting that discussions with international partners consistently underline the importance of Kosovo’s engagement as a NATO member.
He added that Kosovo has taken significant steps toward NATO standards:
- Kosovo Security Force (FSK) and the Ministry of Defense are developing according to NATO standards.
- Military equipment and weapon systems are acquired only according to NATO standards and from NATO member countries.
- Kosovo raises NATO membership as a priority in all discussions with partners and includes it in multiple agreements.
“Forces of the Kosovo Security Force are now ready to contribute their military capacities to NATO,” Maqedonci concluded.
Kosovo’s growing alignment with NATO standards and international backing suggest that its path toward membership is stronger than ever, although political and diplomatic steps remain essential.
