Increasingly frequent announcements that Russia could veto a decision to extend EUFOR’s mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in November this year have forced the United States (U.S.) to plan alternative solutions to protect BiH’s security, Avaz writes.
NATO instead of EUFOR
According to Adnan Hadrovic, a former diplomat and global security adviser at the Institute for Development Impact in Washington, the option of replacing EUFOR forces in the fieldwith NATO forces in the event of such a scenario is being seriously considered.
”In accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, NATO has a mandate for such a decision and does not need any or anyone’s consent. In case Russia uses the veto, in accordance with the assessments of the security situation, that option will be, that is, it is already ready. The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke about this a few days ago,” said Hadrovic.
Russia voted last year to extend EUFOR’s mandate, but in light of deteriorating relations with the West, following the aggression on Ukraine, such a decision is no longer realistic this year. In the meantime, BiH Presidency member Milorad Dodik “repented” because he also supported the continuation of EUFOR’s engagement.
”Some kind of mandated international force is needed to try to maintain a secure environment in BiH. If the mandate is not renewed in November, we are trying to ensure that we have something that will support BiH,” Blinken stated, adding that such plans were being discussed with the Allies.
”Contractors”
”The strengthening of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo began while EUFOR’s mandate is still in force, so NATO will be ready for such a “shift” in the field. We have seen that strong support for the BiH Armed Forces is also planned, which can also be interpreted as a message that the U.S. will protect the peace and stability of BiH. Primarily for themselves, because they do not need a new front, and then for us, so they will not allow the destabilization of the region through “contractors” in the field Milorad Dodik, but also Dragan Covic,” Hadrovic added.
”After the recognition of the Ukrainian parastate Luhansk and Donetsk, Vladimir Putin indirectly recognized Kosovo, says Hadrovic, which is why Serbia is making a turn from Vladimir Putin’s policy. However, in that way, he opened the door to a similar scenario with Republika Srpska (RS). Fortunately, Putin no longer has that strength, which is why Dodik was stopped in his attacks on the state. However, this is not a reason not to continue working intensively to prevent such plans, both internally and externally,” Hadrovic concluded.
E.Dz.
