Brussels, 28 November 2023 (MIA) - Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani is participating in a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday. Talks will focus on the conflict in the Middle East, the situation in Ukraine and developments in the Western Balkans. 

 

The meeting will be chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. In addition to the Alliance's foreign ministers, their counterpart from Sweden will also take part, whose country submitted a bid to join the NATO military alliance. Later on Tuesday, the EU foreign and security policy chief Josep Borrell will also join the meeting. 

 

The foreign ministers will continue the discussions on Wednesday, with a first meeting in the newly-established NATO-Ukraine Council format, also to be joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. 

 

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said over the next days, the foreign ministers will discuss urgent security issues - growing global competition, the renewed conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, as "we face the most dangerous world in decades," MIA's Brussels correspondent reports. 

 

 

He noted that the meeting will also address the situation in the Western Balkans, where "we have seen serious violence in northern Kosovo, divisive and secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and malign attempts to sow dissent, including from Russia." 

 

Stoltenberg said the meeting will discuss ways to enhance stability in the region together with the EU High Representative, Borrell. In that context, the Secretary General mentioned that NATO has already added 1,000 extra troops to Kosovo, and is "examining a more enduring increase of our peacekeeping contingent". 

 

"Belgrade and Pristina must re-engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue. Stability depends on all sides choosing dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and chaos," Stoltenberg told a pre-ministerial press conference on Monday.

 

He also noted the developments in the Middle East, stressing that "the suffering we have seen underlines the need for a lasting political solution". 

 

 

"I welcome that the agreement between Hamas and Israel has led to the release of hostages. And the delivery of more humanitarian aid. I call for an extension of the pause. This would allow for much-needed relief to the people of Gaza. And the release of more hostages," said Stoltenberg.  

 

He pointed out that NATO Allies are present in the wider Middle East region, including through the capacity-building mission in Iraq, adding that recent drone and rocket strikes on US positions in Syria and Iraq underline the risk of escalation, therefore "Iran must rein in its proxies". 

 

"Ministers will address Russia’s destabilising actions in Ukraine and beyond. Russia has brought war back to Europe. And it seeks to destabilise our democracies, with cyber-attacks, disinformation, energy blackmail, and even migration," Stoltenberg said. 

 

The NATO Secretary General said in recent weeks, "Moscow has been facilitating the arrival of migrants at Finland's border with Russia, prompting the closure of border crossing points". 

 

 

"Using migration as a tool to put pressure on a neighbour and a NATO Ally. NATO stands in solidarity with our Ally Finland. And I welcome that Frontex is helping to bolster Finland's borders," Stoltenberg added.

 

He said that the ministers will reaffirm NATO’s long-term support for Ukraine, whose troops "continue to inflict heavy losses on Russia". 

 

"This is a big win for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia is weaker politically, economically, and militarily. Ukraine continues to fight bravely. We continue to support them," said Stoltenberg. 

 

He noted that Germany and the Netherlands pledged 10 billion euros for Ukraine, Romania opened an F-16 training centre for Ukrainian pilots, Allies including the US and Finland are sending more air defences and ammunition to protect Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks, and 20 Allies have now formed an air defence coalition for Ukraine. 

 

 

"Allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. At our meeting, we will agree recommendations for Ukraine’s priority reforms as we continue to support Kyiv on its path to NATO membership," Stoltenberg added. 

 

The NATO Secretary General also mentioned Sweden's membership bid, noting that "Sweden’s membership will make NATO stronger, and all of us safer". 

 

"So I welcome that the Turkish parliament has begun its ratification process. I count on Türkiye and Hungary to complete their ratifications as soon as possible. The time has come," said Stoltenberg. 

 

He also said that Allies will also address the challenges China presents to security, welcoming recent discussions between China and Allies.

 

"Dialogue is important. And we must seek opportunities to work together on a range of issues. Including climate and arms control. China is not an adversary. But Beijing’s actions challenge our security. And we must work together to respond," Stoltenberg added. 

 

Earlier on Monday, the U.S. Department of State said topics at the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels will also include regional stability in the Western Balkans. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said "Secretary Blinken will highlight NATO’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s aggression, emphasize our support for democracy and regional stability in the Western Balkans, and discuss priorities for the Washington Summit in July 2024". 

 

Photo: MIA archive/NATO