The Chair of the Joint Committee for Defense and Security of BiH, Jasmin Imamović, the Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee and member of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PSBiH) to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PSNATO) Marina Pendeš, the Chair of the Delegation of the PSBiH to the PSNATO Kemal Ademović and the member of the Delegation of the PSBiH to the PSNATO Obren Petrović met today with the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Radmila Shekerinska, who is on an official visit to BiH.
Stressing NATO’s full commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Western Balkans region, Shekerinska emphasized the key message that NATO will not allow any security vacuum in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In this regard, she said that the seriousness and commitment of NATO to our country is also proven by the presence of the military and political team – the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and the newly opened NATO Political Support Department in BiH.
She also stressed that it is important that NATO is perceived in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a constructive partner in the function of preserving peace and stability. In this regard, she underlined NATO’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Stressing the importance of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, as well as the importance of NATO’s constant communication with the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Shekerinska expressed concern about secessionist rhetoric, and called for de-escalation of the situation and respect for the rule of law. She also pointed out the importance of opening a political dialogue and dialogue with citizens on all important issues, including the benefits of BiH’s membership in NATO.
The NATO Deputy Secretary General called on BiH institutions to adopt a new annual Reform Program for Cooperation with NATO, and appealed to institutions to increase domestic investments and support for the defense and security sector, especially the Armed Forces of BiH. She also announced the continuation of significant NATO support to the Armed Forces of BiH, and thanked the leadership of the Joint Commission and the Delegation of the BiH PA to the PANATO for their cooperation and engagement.
Assessing the visit of the Deputy Secretary General of NATO as a visit by a friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of the leadership of the Joint Commission for Defense and Security of BiH and the leadership of the BiH PA Delegation to the PANATO welcomed the key messages of the high-ranking NATO official, especially the message that NATO is committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it will not allow any security vacuum in our country.
They presented the activities of the Joint Commission and the Delegation of the BiH PA to the PANATO, highlighted the problems with the adoption of the Budget of the BiH institutions that hinder the political will of the institutions to improve the material position of members of the BiH Armed Forces and state police agencies, and underlined the need for NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue to share a strong partnership, which is also reflected in the continuation of NATO support to the defense sector in BiH.
They also emphasized that both the Joint Commission and the Delegation of the BiH PA to the NATO PA have high-quality and constructive cooperation with the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and the Department for NATO Political Support in BiH, and expressed their belief that such cooperation will continue and strengthen in the future. They also praised the cooperation with the OSCE Mission to BiH, and, in particular, the cooperation and engagement of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They also welcomed the launch of recent activities related to cooperation with local communities and the need to present the benefits of BiH’s membership in NATO to the citizens of BiH, especially young people, and announced that they would organize and participate in such activities in their cities and municipalities.
The meeting was also attended by the Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Matthew Valas, and the Director of the Department for NATO Political Support in BiH, Ambassador Vladimir Vučinić – the Public Relations Sector of the BiH PA announced.
