The Chair of the EU Military Committee, Seán Clancy, reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to peace, stability, and long-term partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina during the lecture at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security Studies on Tuesday.
Clancy said it was an honor to return to Sarajevo after more than 15 years, noting that his visit alongside NATO Military Committee Chair Giuseppe Cavo Dragone sends a clear message of unity between the EU and NATO in their shared commitment to the Western Balkans.
“We are united in our commitment to peace, stability, and security in this region,” Clancy said, emphasizing that the EU currently maintains a “credible and coherent” military presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From the EU perspective, he highlighted the long-standing role of Operation ALTHEA, which has been active in the country for more than two decades. He noted that the mission has evolved from peace enforcement to capacity building and training, supporting the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Armed Forces.
However, Clancy stressed that the EU’s role goes beyond maintaining peace.
“It is about building partnerships for the future,” he said, underlining that the country’s direction must ultimately be decided by its own citizens.
He pointed to the EU’s broader strengths, including economic investment, legal frameworks, and support mechanisms such as the pre-accession process and the European Peace Facility. According to him, these instruments reflect a long-term commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability and development.
“The EU remains the largest investor and trading partner for this country,” Clancy said, adding that support spans infrastructure, governance reforms, and sustainable development. He emphasized that continuity of engagement remains crucial, especially during periods of political and economic transition.
Clancy described Operation ALTHEA as the EU’s largest mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy, tasked with ensuring a safe and secure environment through cooperation with domestic armed forces, law enforcement, and civil institutions.
“The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be shaped by its people,” he said.
“Our role is to support and stand alongside as partners.”
Speaking alongside him, Admiral Dragone stressed that the Western Balkans remain a region of strategic importance for NATO. He underlined that the Alliance is determined to maintain a strong presence and prevent any security vacuum.
“We will not accept a vacuum here,” Dragone said, adding that both NATO and the EU are committed to assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in ongoing reform and security processes.
He highlighted the importance of addressing modern security threats, including disinformation and fake news, through strengthened communication and cooperation.
Dragone also explained that the NATO Military Committee operates on a consensus basis among its 32 member states, ensuring that all strategic military advice is unanimously agreed before being presented to the North Atlantic Council.
Reaffirming NATO’s commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, he pointed to ongoing cooperation through NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, as well as initiatives such as the Political Engagement Support Cell and the Individual Tailored Partnership Programme.
“These efforts support the country’s development in key areas such as crisis management, cyber defence, counterterrorism, and improving interoperability of the Armed Forces,” Dragone said.
Both officials concluded that continued cooperation between the EU, NATO, and Bosnia and Herzegovina remains essential for ensuring lasting stability and security in the region.
Background
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path toward the EU and NATO is progressing, but remains complex and dependent on internal reforms and political consensus.
On the European side, European Union granted candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2022, marking a significant step forward. However, further progress depends on reforms in the rule of law, judiciary, public administration, and alignment with EU standards. The process is gradual and requires sustained political will.
When it comes to NATO, Bosnia and Herzegovina is already engaged through the Membership Action Plan (MAP), but full membership is slowed by internal disagreements, particularly over defense issues and relations with the Alliance. Still, cooperation with NATO continues through joint programs, capacity building, and security support.
In short, both the EU and NATO paths remain open, but the pace will be determined primarily by domestic reforms and political agreement within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
