NATO in the Balkans

During the NATO summit in Riga on 28 and 29 November 2006, the candidate countries Croatia, Macedonia and Albania received confirmation that NATO’s door is open and that, subject to the necessary reforms being carried out, membership may be granted in 2008. The Riga Summit Declaration provides that the Alliance’s Foreign Ministers are to keep developments in the candidate countries under continual review.

The Riga Summit Declaration also provides for increased cooperation with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, which all were invited to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP) at the summit. At the end of 2006, Norway concluded its period as NATO Contact Point Embassy in Belgrade, and took over the same role in Sarajevo. 

Kosovo’s status is expected to be clarified during the first half of 2007, and NATO’s future role in Kosovo may be a key issue during the Oslo meeting. Discussions are likely to encompass both the organisation of the stabilisation mission and a possible expansion of NATO’s role in security sector reform. There is also a need for closer cooperation on Kosovo between NATO and the EU, as the two organisations will have separate responsibility for military and civilian security in the area.

Norway has played a particularly active role in the Western Balkans through its provision of expert support and funds for reforms aimed at democratisation, preparing countries in the region for NATO and EU membership, and combating isolation and radicalisation. Norway attaches great importance to holding Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina responsible as regards meeting the demands of the UN’s International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Membership of the PfP imposes a particular responsibility on these countries to meet all of their obligations to the tribunal, and may help to create a political climate that increases the chances of bringing the war crimes suspects Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic to trial.