The Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović, after today’s meeting in Brussels with Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, stressed that cooperation should be strengthened in the future.
After the meeting, Cvijanović emphasized that it was very constructive on all issues and that she was pleased that both sides showed a commitment to continuing good cooperation.
“We are grateful to NATO for the support it has provided us over the years and we actually expect that this support will be there whenever needed, and I would especially like to thank it for the support it has provided us in terms of building defense capacities,” said Cvijanović.
She especially emphasized that there are no real security threats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Whatever is happening in my country, it is actually about political issues and the political arena and it is discussed in a political and democratic way, and I believe that is democracy. So we can all raise our questions and our concerns, but what is very good and what is very important from today’s meeting is that we are fully aware that our cooperation needs to be strengthened in the future and I am very grateful to everyone who worked passionately in the previous period to support the country and to provide what was needed at that moment”, said Cvijanović.
Finally, she thanked Rutte for the support that NATO has for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the European Union.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina is important for the region and the Allies and said that NATO will not allow the hard-won peace to be jeopardized.
“NATO has been committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina for almost three decades. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement next year, our commitment to BiH and regional stability remains strong. We strongly support the sovereignty and integrity of your country. A stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina and a peaceful Western Balkans are in our strategic interest.”
Emphasizing that today’s meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between BiH and NATO and to strengthen long-term support for the Armed Forces of BiH and reforms in the field of defense and security, Rute said that these efforts are for the benefit of all citizens of BiH and are complementary to the process of BiH’s European integration.
“NATO continues full cooperation with the European Union through the implementation of the EUFOR ALTHEA program and support for the Berlin Plus process. The security of BiH is important for the region and allies, and we will not allow the hard-won peace to be jeopardized. I count on all politicians in your country to work constructively in the spirit of reconciliation and to preserve the stability of state institutions. I believe that this is the key to the lasting stability of your country and meeting the needs of your people,” said Rute.
In December 2006, Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an agreement on joining the Partnership for Peace program, and in March a year later, an agreement on security cooperation with NATO. The Alliance approved the NATO Membership Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018. Since then, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to NATO membership has been largely obstructed by politicians from the Republika Srpska entity.
Photo: Screenshot, NATO
