The head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, in his interview with the Montenegrin media, stated that the experts of the North Atlantic organization are looking at Albania’s offer for the construction of a naval base in the Adriatic Sea and then give advice depending on the military conditions.

“We welcome the allies’ offers for the deployment of NATO facilities. Our experts have to look at all such offers and then give advice depending on the military conditions. The new Strategic Concept of NATO, which was approved at the Madrid Summit, once again confirmed the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for our alliance. NATO will continue to promote stability, security and cooperation in the region, including the daily efforts of KFOR, our headquarters in Sarajevo and the office in Belgrade. Security and stability in the Western Balkans is important for NATO and for peace and stability in Europe”.

NATO is investing around 50 million Euros in the re-operation of the Kuçova airbase, while its multinational exercises have been carried out in Albanian territory.

Stoltenberg says that Russia is not playing a constructive role in the Western Balkans. He warns of a response from NATO if Serbia militarily attacks Kosovo.

“Recently, I spoke with the political leadership in Pristina and Belgrade about the tensions in the north of Kosovo. All parties must remain calm, avoid unilateral actions and engage constructively in dialogue with the mediation of the European Union. In accordance with its UN mandate, the KFOR mission is closely monitoring the situation and is ready to intervene if the stability of Kosovo is threatened,”said Stoltenberg.

The latest data from NATO countries on defense spending shows that 2022 will be the eighth consecutive year of increased spending by European allies and Canada.

/Klara Ruci/