The members of the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly began their participation in the NATO Spring Session with a meeting with Lord Mark Lancaster (UK), the rapporteur for the draft report "Western Balkans: renewed security challenges on NATO’s doorstep", to be discussed on 25 May 2024, at the meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Defence and Security Committee. In the course of the meeting, the MPs made a series of comments on the text of the report, especially the part that refers to the situation in Kosovo-Metohija.
Lord Lancaster was handed detailed documents and comments by our delegation, which, among other things, refer to the need to take an impartial attitude towards Kosovo-Metohija, which would be in accordance with the declared NATO policy on this issue. They pointed out a number of historically incorrect data and the fact that the report does not include data on the violence to which Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija are continuously exposed, as a result of a series of unilateral moves by Pristina. They also pointed out the difficulties faced by Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija in exercising their fundamental human rights. They highlighted the fact that Pristina does not fulfil the obligations assumed under the Brussels Agreement, that the Community of Serb Municipalities has not been formed in 11 years, which additionally generates instability and tensions. In particular, they reminded of the fact that, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, members of the KFOR mission are the only legitimate armed forces and therefore the transformation of the so-called "Kosovo Security Force" is contrary to international law.
Lord Lancaster expressed his understanding for the views expressed by our delegation, indicating that he is ready to consider in detail the suggestions and comments that have been submitted, as well as to consider some of the arguments presented. He assessed that certain arguments were particularly constructive. He pointed out that the goal of the report is to maintain the attention of NATO and KFOR on the Western Balkan region, that is, to ensure security and a safe environment in Kosovo-Metohija, especially considering the security challenges in other parts of the world. He also expressed his readiness to accept an invitation to visit the Republic of Serbia in the coming period, during the preparation of the updated text of the report, which will be discussed at the fall session of the NATO PA in Montreal.
Acting head of the delegation Natasa Jovanovic, as well as delegation members Goran Rakic and Prof. Dr Zoran Dragisic are taking part in the NATO PA Spring Session held 24-27 May 2024 In Sofia. The meeting was also attended by the head of the Mission of the Republic of Serbia to NATO, Ambassador Branimir Filipovic.
During the session, the members of the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia are planned to have a series of bilateral meetings in which the MPs will express their strong opposition to the possibility of the so-called "Kosovo Assembly" upgrading its status within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to that of an associate member.