The Chairs of the EU and NATO Military Committees reaffirm commitment to stability in the Western Balkans

The Chair of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC), General Seán Clancy, and the Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, conducted a joint visit to Pristina and Sarajevo on 28 and 29 April 2026. The visit underscored the shared commitment of the European Union and NATO to stability and security in the Western Balkans.

Throughout the visit, both Chairs highlighted the strength of EU-NATO military cooperation and the complementarity of their respective engagements in the region. In particular, they emphasised the role of the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo and the EU-led EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, demonstrating how coordinated efforts contribute to a coherent and effective international presence.

As the European Union's largest military operation under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), EUFOR ALTHEA remains central to maintaining a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, working in close partnership with national authorities and international actors.

In Pristina, General Clancy and Admiral Cavo Dragone engaged with the leadership of the NATO-led KFOR mission, including its Commander, Major General Özkan Ulutaş, and observed operational activities on the ground. They also exchanged views with representatives of the Institutions in Kosovo, including Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Minister of Defence Ejup Maqedonci, and the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force, Lieutenant General Bashkimi Jashari.

In Sarajevo, the Chairs addressed students at the University of Sarajevo, engaging in discussions on regional security, resilience, and the importance of sustained international partnership. The visit also included meetings with key EU and NATO representatives, including the Commander of EUFOR ALTHEA, Major General Maurizio Fronda; the Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General Matthew Valas; the EU Special Representative, Ambassador Luigi Soreca; and the EU Operation Commander, Lieutenant General Ludovic Pinon de Quincy. They also held a joint office call with the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, General Gojko Knežević.

General Clancy stressed the European Union's enduring commitment to the region, stating that the EU remains a steadfast security partner in the Western Balkans. He underlined that Operation ALTHEA continues to act as a guarantor of a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while close coordination with NATO, including through KFOR, demonstrates a unified and unwavering commitment to lasting regional security.

The visit highlighted that, in an evolving geopolitical environment, sustained engagement, partnership, and complementarity between the European Union and NATO remain essential to preserving stability and supporting long-term security in the Western Balkans.