Strengthening the presence and activities of NATO and the European Union is crucial to prevent worsening the situation in the Western Balkans and to make the region stay on the integration course. Therefore, I firmly believe that NATO, the EU and the USA should remain active and visible in the region, prime minister Dusko Markovic said at the panel Transatlantic Cooperation within the Munich Security Conference taking place in Washington.
Markovic said he hoped that ending the Cold War and intensifying the unification of Europe would mean at the same ceasing threats of new armed conflicts.
“There were also opinions that the historic mission of NATO and the transatlantic community was completed, but today we see that such forecasts were unfounded,” said Markovic.
The Euro-Atlantic area is faced with new threats and challenges that are more diverse, complex and dangerous than during the Cold War.
“Neither the Western Balkans has been immune to the crisis and threats that shook Europe and the World. It is historically recognised as an unstable area. It is true that currently the situation is not like that – in the last 15 years the region has experienced a period of peace, stability and growing commitment of the countries’ to integrations and building good neighbourly relations. However, there are still problems, but a certain decline has been noticed recently,” said Markovic.
He also commented on Russia’s impact.
“Russia, which sees the Western Balkans as its ‘sphere of interest’, increasingly uses this situation to distract the region from the integration process and undermine support for European and Euro-Atlantic values. There are many examples of such destabilisation attempts. Unfortunately, Montenegro was one of the obvious examples – I’m sure you all informed about the pressure our country has been exposed to in the past two years, as well as the attempt of terrorist attacks on election night on 16 October 2016. However, I can proudly say that our institutions, with the full and generous support of our euro-Atlantic allies were able to adequately respond to this threat. Therefore, the alliance’s orientation towards stability beyond its borders and strengthening the focus on anti-terrorist activities are very important and effective,” said Markovic.
As he pointed out, strengthening the presence and activities of NATO and the European Union was essential to prevent worsening of the situation in the Western Balkans region and staying on the integration course.
“NATO openness for cooperation with others who share its values and for admission of new members has proved to be a powerful mechanism for enhancing the stability and democracy, thus strengthening the alliance and global piece. Therefore, I firmly believe that NATO and the European Union and the United States should remain active and visible in the region,” Markovic said.
