Page 40 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine November 2024

40 I Southeast Europe bne November 2024
Bulgarian officials have categorically refused his offer to mediate in the ongo- ing tensions between Skopje and Sofia. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivan Kondov stated that Bulgaria does not require mediators, as the EU framework agree- ment with North Macedonia is already clear, and requires amendments to the constitution.
Orban also expressed his concern over the EU's handling of the situation with Skopje, stating that the recent separa- tion of Albania’s accession process from that of North Macedonia was "a huge mistake” by the EU
He accused EU officials of undermining North Macedonia's "national pride" by prolonging the country's bid to join the bloc.
"Given Hungary's role as the EU chair,
it is only natural that this topic is at
the forefront of our discussions today [September 27]. Hungary's stance is clear: the stability of the Western Balkans and the region's integration into the EU are of paramount importance," Orban said.
Orban criticised the bloc for accelerat- ing accession processes for Ukraine and Moldova while neglecting countries like North Macedonia that have been work- ing toward EU membership for many years. North Macedonia, formerly known as Macedonia, has been an EU candidate since 2005.
Beyond politics, Orban highlighted the significance of North Macedonia as a vital trade route for Hungary, with goods passing through the country on their way from Greek ports. "Economic coopera- tion between the two countries is very important," Orban noted.
During his visit, Orban also expressed gratitude for North Macedonia's support in Hungary’s fight against illegal migra- tion and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral political and eco- nomic ties. In a post on the X network, Orban said: "We will never forget North Macedonia's support in our fight against illegal migration."
PM Mickoski stated that Hungary is
a strategic ally of North Macedonia. He also highlighted the importance of strategic projects like the north-south transport and energy corridors, which links the Balkans with Hungary.
These corridors are vital for the energy security and economic growth of the entire region, and he stressed that coop- eration with Hungary will be crucial for the successful implementation of these initiatives.
Nato deploys additional 200 troops to bolster KFOR readiness in Kosovo
Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje
Approximately 200 personnel from Nato’s newly established Allied Reaction Force (ARF) are being deployed to the Western Balkans from September 30 to October 16 to conduct training exercises to ensure operational readiness and support the Nato-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission.
KFOR said that the Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFCNP) is closely monitoring the situation in the Western Balkans, which is a region of strategic importance for Nato. Ongoing tensions and uncoordinated actions in the area raise concerns among Nato allies and partners regarding security in Kosovo and the overall stability of the region.
The ARF is a strategic, high-readiness force capable of multi-domain opera- tions, prepared to deploy at short notice with scalable force packages to enhance deterrence in various scenarios.
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This marks the first deployment of any element of the ARF since its formation in July 2024. The mission includes a military contingent of about 50 person- nel from the ARF’s Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (OLRT) in Kosovo, alongside a forward command node comprising around 150 person- nel in North Macedonia, KFOR said on September 30.
The deployed forces will engage in train- ing activities designed to maintain their high readiness levels, testing their skills and procedures for rapidly deploying larger forces.
A portion of the ARF headquarters will temporarily integrate into KFOR’s com- mand and control structures, tasked with identifying logistical, infrastruc- tural, and operational support needs for KFOR, particularly in the event of significant reinforcements.
The ARF's deployment, alongside the earlier announced deployment of the Strategic Reserve Force (SRF) to Kosovo, reinforces Nato’s strong commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region and underscores its readiness to respond to any situation.
JFCNP supports KFOR in implement- ing its mandate, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, to ensure a safe and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo and uphold freedom of movement.