Pristina is seeking NATO membership and permanent US base in Kosovo

Minister of Defense of the Provisional Institutions of Pristina Armend Mehaj wants so-called Kosovo to urgently join NATO, as well as for the United States to establish a permanent military base there.

Mehaj also called on NATO members who do not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of so-called Kosovo to do so, Kosovo Online reported.

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He claims that a US base is necessary in order to guarantee peace, security and stability in the Western Balkans and beyond.

The call to speed up the process of NATO membership was explained by Mehaj with the new reality after the Russian operation in Ukraine and its, as he stated, reflection on the general security environment of the Western Balkans, Europe and the world.

"Based on the reality created after the Russian military aggression in Ukraine and its reflection on the overall security environment of the Western Balkans, Europe and the world, we ask the United States and all allies and partner countries to accelerate Kosovo's NATO membership process. To our allies and NATO member states that are hesitant to recognize Kosovo, I say do not hesitate anymore," he wrote.

He added that at this time, responsible states and peoples should not exclude anyone from a common vision and in front of a common evil.

Mehaj alos said that Kosovo, together with its people, is firmly on the right side of history with its allies.

"Kosovo and its citizens, we have proven and confirmed our firm position and determination that we are worthy fighters in the defense of Euro-Atlantic values of freedom, peace and democracy, values of NATO and its mission," said Mehaj.

He also said that establishing a permanent US military base is an urgent need to guarantee peace, security and stability in the Western Balkans and beyond.

"It is time to reiterate our call to our irreplaceable ally, the United States, to establish a permanent military base, to fully guarantee peace, security and stability in the region and beyond," said Mehaj.

(Telegraf.rs)