Brussels, 13 July 2022 (TDI): The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg met Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, in Brussels.
Thanked PM @ediramaal for #Albania’s important contributions to our shared security, including our @NATO_KFOR mission in #Kosovo. We discussed the historic decisions at the #NATOSummit in #Madrid, on continued support for #Ukraine, #NATO enlargement & strengthening our Alliance. pic.twitter.com/nY50PFOuHT
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 13, 2022
The two met at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on 13 July 2022. During the meeting, Stoltenberg welcomed the efforts of Albania toward NATO’s multinational battlegroups in Latvia and Bulgaria. Stoltenberg also welcomed Albania to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
He also commended Albania for its commitment to enhancing stability and cooperation in the Western Balkan regions.
Moreover, he thanked Albania for ratifying the Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden.
This follows NATO’s recent invitation of Sweden and Finland to join the Alliance.
Stoltenberg said, “This shows that NATO’s door remains open and that we continue to stand up for the right of every nation to choose its path”.
Following this, the two leaders went on to discuss Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine and NATO’s support for Kyiv.
Stoltenberg also said, “I welcome Albania’s support for Ukraine, including your recent pledge of humanitarian aid, and your recent visit to Ukraine was an important demonstration of solidarity”.
The Secretary-General and the Albanian Prime Minister also discussed some important topics regarding the NATO Summit in Madrid.
Kosovo and NATO cooperation
NATO operations in Kosovo started in 1999 to support wider international efforts to build peace and stability.
The NATO peacekeeping operation is called the Kosovo Force (KFOR) and it has been working since June 1999. It was formed when after NATO’s 78-day air campaign ended. The air campaign was against Milosevic’s regime and its goal was to put an end to violence in Kosovo.
KFOR gets its mandate from the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 of 10 June 1999. It comprises about 3,700 forces that the 28 Allied and partner provides.
NATO on Russia-Ukraine
NATO stands with Ukraine and supports its full sovereignty of Ukraine. It also condemns the Russian aggression toward Ukraine. It also provides support to Ukraine amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.
NATO Allies have called on Russia severely to stop its war and withdraw its troops from Ukraine.
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