Admiral Robert P. Burke, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, conducted a half-day visit to NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, at Camp Butmir in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on Monday (25 October 2021).
The visit included a meeting with Lieutenant General Senad Mašović, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Major General Ivica Jerkić, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Operations; and Major General Gojko Knežević, Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Resources. In the meeting Admiral Burke reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to a stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina.
”Stability and security of the Western Balkans is important for NATO and for peace and stability in Europe. NATO Headquarters Sarajevo is committed to continue its practical cooperation with the BiH Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO continues also to support Euro Atlantic reform efforts – for the benefit of all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Admiral Burke.
He also met with the Commander NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad; Commander, European Force Althea, Major General Alexander Platzer, as well as with the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eric Nelson, to discuss ongoing NATO and EUFOR cooperation, and joint efforts for the reform and modernization of BiH defence and security forces.
Admiral Burke directs a combined staff, representing NATO’s 30 Allies, responsible for planning, preparing, and conducting military operations throughout the Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s area of responsibility. The command oversees three efforts across the Western Balkans: the Kosovo Force (KFOR), NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, and the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade.
NATO Headquarters Sarajevo performs a range of tasks, including support to reforms in BiH defence and security structures, under the umbrella of NATO’s Partnership for Peace.
“NATO military and civilian officials here work deeply with all segments of the BiH Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH – we know each other very well and we will continue to support the authorities as they implement much needed reforms in all areas of life: to improve security, strengthen democracy and increase prosperity for everyone in BiH,” said Admiral Burke.
“Working together is something that improves us all, makes us better, stronger and more prepared to face the ever-changing and increasingly complex security challenges of today. We face the same security challenges in our shared Euro-Atlantic region, and dialogue and cooperation are important to address them effectively,” he said.
