NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Šekerinska, emphasized the significant importance of the Western Balkans for the Alliance. She conveyed that the message to the region is clear: existing issues cannot be resolved through division and animosity but rather through collaboration and diligent effort.

At the opening of the NATO Youth Summit in Budva, organized by the Atlantic Alliance of Montenegro and NATO, Šekerinska expressed her pleasure at the event being held in her home region.

This summit demonstrates the Alliance’s recognition of young leaders, she noted.

“When we discuss future generations, I’m not referring to a distant era, but to all of you who are actively shaping our future. We rely on your talents, contributions, innovative ideas, and professional attitudes to foster a safer Alliance and to help cultivate a more prosperous world,” stated Šekerinska.

She underscored that the Western Balkans hold strategic importance for NATO.

“Since the 1990s, NATO has been a supporter of peace, and we uphold those foundations. Although we are not currently at war, as we were then, believe me, the past experiences were harrowing and impacted everyone in the region. Thirty years ago, I stood where you are today; we lived in a state of uncertainty between war and peace and paid a steep price. While Eastern European countries advanced towards NATO and the EU, we found ourselves stagnant,” stated Šekerinska.

She asserted that merely avoiding war isn’t enough; cooperation within the region is essential. She remarked that stability is threatened by nationalist and secessionist rhetoric that is still heard today.

“We now have a peaceful region with improved cooperation, where most countries focus on EU integration, and many are NATO members. However, we are still hindered by divisive rhetoric. We learned in the 90s that words can be more perilous than weapons, leading to violence. Our message to the Balkans is clear: this region is crucial to us, and we expect greater efforts in addressing challenges. Problems cannot be resolved through hatred and division; they require diligence and collaboration,” emphasized Šekerinska.

“That is what we anticipate, and I am committed to investing in this region. I urge everyone to aid in building a better Western Balkans—more Western than Balkan,” added the NATO representative.

Discussing the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague in July, Šekerinska stated, “To prevent war, preparation is essential.”

“This encapsulates our philosophy: we invest in defense to avert conflict. By showcasing strength, unity, and determination to protect all allies, we can steer clear of war, and we will dedicate ourselves to these ideals at the NATO summit,” Šekerinska asserted.

The summit will prioritize the critical objective of “how to enhance NATO’s strength.”

“To clarify, a stronger Alliance signifies unity and a genuine capacity to defend each ally. We stand by the motto ‘all for one, one for all,’ but it necessitates true capability, military strength, and resources. Thus, the upcoming summit in The Hague will place substantial emphasis on sustaining the trend of increased defense spending. In times of security threat, nothing else holds importance. Hailing from this region, I recognize that while much of Europe relished the benefits of peace, we experienced firsthand the significance of safety and security. We understand that when threats loom over peace and security, everything else fades away,” warned Šekerinska.

In challenging times, she mentioned, tough decisions sometimes become necessary.

“One of these tough choices is the need to allocate more funds to defense. This trend has commenced across the Alliance. We’ve witnessed several Allies not only achieving the two percent GDP target set by NATO over a decade ago but significantly surpassing it. Notably, nations bordering Russia have escalated their contributions to four percent, with some pledging as high as five percent. This decision reflects the widespread perception of threat. Therefore, the summit in The Hague will substantially focus on how to bolster defense spending and fortify the defense industrial base,” concluded Šekerinska.

Routes: Security Challenges Require Fresh Thinking

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, in a video message broadcast during the summit, asserted that the 32 NATO member states are working tirelessly to ensure global safety.

He expressed that they look forward to the support of younger generations, who can leverage their knowledge to assist in shaping the Alliance.

“In light of ongoing conflict in Europe and rising instability, NATO is more crucial than ever. This necessitates your input more than ever before. NATO has safeguarded me throughout my life, even prior to my birth. It has made the entire Euro-Atlantic community secure. NATO is adapting to the future, and we cannot do this without you. We need your ideas, inspiration, energy, and creative thinking. Current security challenges compel us to seek innovative solutions. Therefore, if you’re pursuing a career in diplomacy, technology, or defense, please step forward. Your voice is paramount for our collective future. Fight for your place at the table and for your opinion to be acknowledged. This isn’t just my NATO; it’s yours. The Alliance belongs to you, which is why we need your grand ideas and concepts to tackle today’s challenges. This journey has begun, and I have complete faith in you. Let’s embark on this together,” said Rutte.

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