The Western Balkans proved to be much more resilient and stable in the challenging geopolitical circumstances than expected, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense Krsto Perović assessed.
He participated in the 18th Bled Strategic Forum organized by Slovenia, which brings together leaders from the countries of Central and Southeastern Europe.
The theme of this year's forum is "Solidarity for Global Security", in which the participants discussed issues of importance for the future of the European security order.
The Ministry of Defense said that one of the key messages from the panel discussion is that in light of the changed security situation, solidarity is the only guarantee of successfully overcoming challenges and ensuring the prerequisites for long-term stability and prosperity.
"Solidarity has been and will remain a principle that makes Europe and the democratic international public united in the preservation of fundamental values, regardless of all differences," the statement says.
Perović, speaking at a panel dedicated to the impact of Russian aggression in Ukraine on the European security order, pointed out that Russian aggression represents one of the biggest challenges to the European security order since the end of the Cold War.
According to him, current security situations require synergistic and coordinated actions by NATO, the European Union (EU) and the entire democratic international community.
Perović said that the attack on Ukraine is an attack on fundamental democratic values and principles that were the basis of decades of peace on European soil.
Answering a question about the impact of the war in Ukraine on the Western Balkans region, Perović emphasized that the region has proven to be much more resilient and stable in challenging geopolitical circumstances than expected.
He said that the membership of a large number of countries in the region to NATO plays an important role in preserving stability, as well as the engagement of international forces in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Also, Russia's military and political failure in its aggression against Ukraine contributed to shattering illusions about Russia as an all-powerful protector, and the committed war crimes further delegitimized local advocates of Putin's policies," added Perović.
According to reports, he expressed his belief that Ukraine, in alliance with dozens of countries that are with it, will manage to defend itself, while internal fractures will occur in Russia that will wear it down for a long time.
Perović said that Russia was basically humiliated.
"Ukrainians have shown the whole world that even if you are a much smaller country and not as strong as an aggressor, your will, your determination and the number of allies you have can help defend your country," said Perović.
Commenting on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, Perović expressed optimism while reminding that a prerequisite for the realization of a successful European integration agenda is the return of focus and additional involvement of the United States of America and the EU in the region.
Regarding the EU's policy on the Western Balkans, Perović said that real reforms and pro-European forces must receive stronger encouragement and support.
He added that the policy of "stabilocracy" must definitely be abandoned, i.e. tolerating corrupt autocrats in exchange for apparent stability.
Apart from Perović, the Director of the Directorate for Defense Policy Rajko Pešić, as well as the Montenegrin Defense Envoy in Slovenia, Colonel Veljko Mališić, participated in the Bled Strategic Forum.
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