Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has confirmed that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit Kosovo. Highlighting the importance of this visit, Osmani emphasized that stability in Kosovo is a key factor for the security of the entire region. Security experts believe that such visits demonstrate NATO’s ongoing support for Kosovo, while emphasizing that Kosovo must prove its continued role as a strategic partner, especially to the United States.
The President’s Office stated that during President Osmani’s meeting with the commander of KFOR in Kosovo, it was noted that Europe is facing a complex geopolitical situation, one that requires full coordination among strategic partners.
Osmani added, “Our continent is facing a complex geopolitical situation that demands close cooperation and ongoing coordination with our allies. The meeting also discussed the coordination of activities ahead of the scheduled visit of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Kosovo, underscoring the significance of this visit and the importance of NATO’s role in ensuring peace and security in our country,” according to the President’s Office.
During his visit to Kosovo, Rutte will be accompanied by ambassadors from NATO member states.
Kadri Kastrati, former commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), considers such a visit to be a continuation of NATO’s support for Kosovo and the Western Balkans. However, Kastrati states that Kosovo should use this visit to demonstrate alignment with the interests of the U.S. and Europe. “With this visit, NATO is sending a message that it wants to continue peace in the Western Balkans. Kosovo must seize this opportunity to show that it stands with the interests of the U.S. and Europe and that Kosovo is a country with a bright future alongside its partners,” said Kastrati.
Former Deputy Minister of Interior, Valdet Hoxha, believes that given Kosovo’s position as a hotspot in the Balkans, its politics and diplomacy should be coordinated with the U.S. and other strategic allies. “Our leadership must be vigilant and ensure that every decision is thoughtful and coordinated with our strategic partners, especially the U.S., to protect territorial integrity and to uphold Western harmony and the new world order,” said Hoxha.
The NATO delegation, led by the Secretary General, will also visit the KFOR mission in Kosovo, where around 4,700 soldiers are currently stationed. The largest contingent is from Italy, with 1,250 personnel, as it also holds the command, while the United States has around 600 personnel in the mission.
