The Council of Ambassadors of Kosovo has expressed its willingness to provide full support to the institutions of our state in matters of foreign policy and other areas, saying that the full integration of the Western Balkans into the EU and NATO facilitates the realization of Kosovo's state interests. .

In the regular annual Assembly, the Council of Ambassadors discussed its activity during 2024 and the international position of Kosovo in relation to regional and international political developments and dynamics.

The members of the Council of Ambassadors confirmed their readiness and commitment to make available their potential, experience and contacts for the benefit of the state interests of Kosovo, as well as approved the statement regarding the growing threat as a result of challenging the international order and regional policies.

Declaration of the Council of Ambassadors of Kosovo

The Council of Ambassadors of Kosovo is following with attention and concern the unprecedented international developments of recent years, with special emphasis on Eastern Europe but also other current and possible crises. The Council assesses that the effects of these developments are inevitable throughout the globe and especially in the Western Balkans, with possible implications for the international position of the Republic of Kosovo.

The Russian Federation's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has sparked the biggest war in Europe since World War II and fundamentally challenged the international order. The revisionist policy continuously proclaimed by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin is being developed in the form of military aggression, alongside the hybrid war and support for extremist parties of all ideological colors, for the destabilization of Western countries.

The situation is more dangerous than it has ever been since the end of the Cold War. The Russian economy has completely transformed into a war economy for which it also has the support of China. India, China and the countries of the Global South have not aligned themselves with the West regarding Russian aggression and seek to take advantage of the opportunity to buy mineral resources and energy more cheaply.

Escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are reestablishing new dividing lines leading to a new international order. There is great mobilization of authoritarian and totalitarian countries against countries that embrace the values ​​of democracy and freedom. Many countries have a neutral attitude towards Ukraine and have not imposed sanctions on Russia. There are efforts to create parallel banking systems and towards the de-dollarization of the global economy, for the expansion of BRICS and mobilization around the term "global south".

The post-Cold War period when Western democratic values ​​prevailed has been challenged and the world order is entering a new phase. The Western Balkans remains the most unstable area on the European continent and the most exposed to the influence of Russia and other, third powers. As such, our region is exposed to destabilizing scenarios designed in Moscow and other third countries that do not appreciate the strong anchoring of the Western Balkans in Euro-Atlantic structures and values.

The Western Balkans remains a strategically important region for the stability of the Euro-Atlantic space.

Any stagnation in the Euro-Atlantic integration of the region creates space for the growth of destabilizing influences through economic investments, political alliances, support of nationalist and anti-Western movements, or radical religious currents. This puts the Western Balkans at a crossroads of clashing geopolitical interests and competing value systems. Faced with unprecedented international political developments, it is in the vital interest of the Republic of Kosovo to strengthen and advance its state capacities and deepen the partnership with the Euro-Atlantic allies. This becomes even more necessary in the light of the ongoing efforts of the Republic of Serbia to undermine the state of Kosovo either through violent methods, as was the case with the terrorist attack in Banjska in September of last year, or with other actions in it the past, as it was with the provocative train that was headed towards Kosovo in the last days of President Obama's term.

Banjska should not be seen as an incident caused by the revolt as Serbia claims, but as a policy which has been waiting for the moment to try to separate the territory of Kosovo and to destabilize it. Serbia has openly announced the hegemonic project "Serbian World". For 16 years of existence as an independent state, the Republic of Kosovo has proven to be a factor of regional stability, with a steadfast Euro-Atlantic orientation. The Republic of Kosovo and its Western allies are united not only by the sublime values ​​of political democracy and individual freedoms, but also by the common interests of stability and integration of our region into the EU and NATO. Thus, the full integration of the Western Balkans into the EU and NATO would facilitate the realization of the state interests of the Republic of Kosovo.

Given the regional and international developments and the challenges they bring to the Republic of Kosovo, the Council of Ambassadors of Kosovo reiterates the need for the Republic of Kosovo to be maximally committed to deepening strategic alliances and expanding international support. In a special way, the Council of Ambassadors of Kosovo highlights the necessity that - in addition to the internal strengthening of the state of Kosovo and the consolidation of sovereignty, the integration in the international system should be advanced.