NATO assembly sounds alarm over Kosovo and Bosnia risks

January 7, 2025 -  The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has issued a stark warning about growing risks in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the need for greater EU and NATO engagement to avoid further instability in these regions.

The report highlights the worsening situation in northern Kosovo, where tensions have been rising. It urges NATO to increase its presence in the area, a move seen as essential to maintaining peace.

Lord Mark Lancaster, a British member of parliament and the author of the report, said, “NATO’s presence in Kosovo could be strengthened, considering the developments in the region.” He emphasized that a stronger NATO force would not only help prevent violence but also rebuild trust among Kosovo’s different communities.

The report also pointed to the lack of progress in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia as the most significant challenge facing the Western Balkans. NATO and the EU are urged to put pressure on both sides to implement the Ohrid Agreement, a peace deal aimed at stabilizing the region.

Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina remain under the spotlight due to ongoing political tensions and complex relationships, particularly with Serbia. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s warning underscores the need for immediate action to secure peace and prevent further conflict.