Foreign Affairs Minister Timcho Mutsunski attended a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, emphasizing the Western Balkans’ strategic importance and the need for its faster EU integration to bolster regional and European stability. Ministers highlighted the NATO-EU partnership and the importance of a strong European defense pillar within NATO to strengthen transatlantic stability, welcoming new EU defense initiatives while stressing the inclusion of non-EU NATO allies.

Support was voiced for US diplomatic efforts for peace in Ukraine, and commitments were made to increase defense budgets and strengthen collective security to address common threats.

Minister Mutsunski held bilateral meetings with the NATO Secretary General and counterparts from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Romania, Germany, Italy, and Montenegro, discussing regional stability, security, and peace.