Declaration by the Participants of the Forum of Young Professionals 2023

“Cooperation, Security, Values: NATO in a Changing World”

held in Tirana, Nov 30 – Dec 1, 2023

Recognising the poly-crisis and the challenging security landscape in the world in 2023, highlighted by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the general unrest in Europe’s southern and eastern flanks.

Understanding the repercussions of these conflicts on the Western Balkans region and the danger they pose for both state security and the human impact to all citizens in the region.

Taking note of the increased tensions that were visible in the Western Balkans region throughout 2023, which were political, but also with military and security-related impacts.

Acknowledging the broader range of new challenges in the international security domains, such as migration, pandemics, disinformation, cybersecurity, energy dependency, attacks on energy infrastructure and supply chains, water and food scarcity and climate change.

Reflecting on NATO’s vital role in facilitating conflict resolution and peace-building efforts throughout the Western Balkans region in the past 30 years and for creating a security architecture that prevented backsliding into conflict.

Building on NATO’s core values of individual liberty, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as a prerequisite for stability and for reducing the risk of conflicts in the Western Balkans region.

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