The Chairman of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Kemal Ademovic, along with Deputy Chairs Marina Pendes and Obren Petrovic, participated in the presentation of NATO’s Orientation Program in Brussels.
The NATO Orientation Program, organized in cooperation with NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, gathered parliamentarians from NATO member countries, candidate countries, and associate members, providing a unique opportunity for experience exchange and strengthening cooperation, stated PABiH.
The program was opened by NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Ruxandra Popa, who welcomed all participants and introduced the role and mission of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Opening remarks were also given by the Head of the Swiss Mission to NATO, Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, while an overview of NATO’s role was presented by NATO’s parliamentary liaison officer in the Public Diplomacy Division, Petr Lunak.
The discussions covered important topics, including NATO’s political agenda post-Washington Summit and responses to security challenges, such as the war against Ukraine and the cooperation between China and Russia. Participants had the opportunity to hear updates on current NATO operations, in which NATO emphasized its support for BiH by extending the mandate of the EUFOR Althea mission and announced continued assistance to BiH on its reform path and toward Euro-Atlantic integration.
During the session on NATO’s public diplomacy challenges, NATO Assistant Secretary General Marie-Doha Besancenot highlighted her division’s high priority on BiH. The discussion underscored the importance of strengthening the public promotion of NATO integration, as well as NATO’s values and benefits through the implementation of activities and projects.
On the second day of the program presentation, discussions focused on NATO’s engagement with partners in addressing common threats and challenges. The importance of cooperation with partners in the global security context was highlighted, as well as the urgent need to increase investments in the defense capacities and military industries of NATO member states to preserve global peace.