Serbian MFA: Balkans remain sensitive post-conflict area, preserving peace is essential

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The Serbian MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has announced that it is monitoring with concern the statements and announcements of certain officials in the region regarding the signing and expansion of bilateral agreements on military cooperation between neighboring states, and that the Balkans remains a sensitive post-conflict region.

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"Serbia recalls that the entire Balkans remain a sensitive post-conflict area, where the preservation of peace and stability is of essential importance, both for the countries of the region and for Europe as a whole," a statement said, adding:

"For this reason, every insufficiently transparent move that can be interpreted as the creation of military blocs or alliances directed against third parties contributes to rising tensions and deepens divisions, instead of building trust and enhancing cooperation."

The Serbian MFA particularly emphasized that the lack of transparency and the absence of customary consultations regarding such agreements create room for doubt and foster an atmosphere of mistrust—something contrary to European values of dialogue, predictability, and mutual respect.

"We also recall that some of the states entering into these arrangements are already NATO members, whose security is fully guaranteed by existing collective mechanisms. This raises the question of the true motives and objectives of these bilateral agreements, which lack clear military justification but carry strong political symbolism and send negative messages across the region. Nor do we understand the reasons for excluding certain states from such forms of cooperation," the statement said.

Serbia believes that the proper path to strengthening trust and cooperation in the region lies in investing in mechanisms for joint training, civil protection, and coordinated responses to emergencies - such as floods, fires, and earthquakes—which would bring concrete and lasting benefits to the citizens of all countries, the ministry said.

Serbia "remains firmly committed to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and expects all partners to act responsibly in that spirit, with due regard for the legitimate interests of all parties," the statement concluded.

(Telegraf.rs)