Russia's southern presence challenges NATO stability, warns Colomina

Russian presence on NATO's southern flank poses a challenge and threat to the North Atlantic Alliance, stated Javier Colomina, NATO representative for the southern neighbourhood, in an interview with the Catalan newspaper "La Vanguardia."

We see many challenges and threats in the South, including foreign states contributing to instability. One of the presences, perhaps the most significant, is Russia, said the diplomat.

Colomina noted that the Sahel, a region in the north bordering the Sahara, is also a source of significant security issues.

He included threats such as illegal trade, migration, and climate change in addition to Russia. He emphasised that I don’t see any other way than cooperation with regional organisations and even countries seeking agreement and compromise between sanctions policy and realpolitik.

Although NATO finds Russia's presence in Africa and the Middle East alarming, the Spaniard noted that NATO's approach to China is different. Chinese activity poses a challenge, "but it is very different from our perception of Russia, which we define as an adversary and a threat."

He added, "With China, we do not have adversarial relations but rather strategic competition. We openly discuss with them what we believe they are doing wrong, for example, their stance on Ukraine."

- Despite greater engagement in the south, NATO's primary priority will continue to be supporting Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russian aggression - emphasised Colomina. In his opinion, the two directions are not contradictory.

The Spaniard was informed that a NATO office is expected to be established in Amman in the coming months, which will allow for better observation of the region. Plans to open other offices are also in place, depending on the consent of individual countries.

Colomina, previously the special representative of NATO's Secretary-General for the Caucasus and Central Asia, was appointed at the end of July as the NATO representative for the southern neighbourhood. Italy, which had hoped to create a similar post for its representative, negatively received the nomination.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's decision was met with protests from Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who stated that the lack of nomination for an Italian representative is a "betrayal".

- Italy is a key country on the southern flank of the Alliance, and I will work with them as much as I can - assured Colomina in a Sunday interview.