Stoltenberg to visit Belgrade during November 19-22 trip to region

BRUSSELS - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will be visiting the Western Balkans from November 19 through 22 and travel to Belgrade on Tuesday, November 21, NATO announced on Friday.

On Sunday, Stoltenberg will go to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he will have a working dinner with the members of the country's Presidency.

"On Monday, November 20, Secretary General Stoltenberg will meet the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr Christian Schmidt. He will also meet the Chairlady of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Borjana Kristo. Mr Stoltenberg will visit NATO Headquarters Sarajevo and have meetings with military leaders and representatives of the international community," NATO said in a statement.

On Monday afternoon, he will leave for Pristina for discussions with the president of the Pristina interim authorities, Vjosa Osmani, and Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

"He will also visit NATO’s KFOR Camp Nothing Hill, where he will meet KFOR’s Commander Major General Ulutas, and address the troops. He will also meet with the Director of the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team, Brigadier General Hammerstein," NATO said.

"On Tuesday, November 21, the Secretary General will be in Belgrade. He will have meetings with the President of Serbia, Mr Aleksandar Vucic and the Prime Minister, Ms Ana Brnabic. Mr Stoltenberg will also engage with Serbian scientists who will present technology developed in the context of NATO’s Science for Peace and Security projects," it said.

"Later that day, Mr Stoltenberg will travel to the Republic of North Macedonia to meet with President Stevo Pendarovski and the Prime Minister, Mr Dimitar Kovacevski. The Secretary General will also meet the President of the Assembly of North Macedonia, Mr Talat Xhaferi, and give a speech to the parliament.

On Wednesday, November 22, the Secretary General will participate in a meeting with Allied leaders from the region. The Prime Minister of Albania, Mr Edi Rama; the President of Croatia, Mr Zoran Milanovic; the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr Milojko Spajic; and the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Mr Robert Golob, have been invited to attend," the statement also said.