Potential crisis situations and contemporary challenges in the Western Balkans were discussed in Sarajevo, where the NATO Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the consultation and exchange of views.
Security in Focus
As global tensions rise, the issue of stability must also be a priority in the Western Balkans, which is susceptible to various influences. For the Euro-Atlantic area, Russia with its partners remains the most serious and direct threat. The dangers are clear, as is NATO’s support for the Balkans.
NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General Kevin Hamilton emphasized that the Alliance will continue to support the region.
“We remain strongly committed to the security and stability of the Western Balkans. NATO will continue to strengthen political dialogue and practical cooperation with the entire region, including the fight against malicious external influences,” said Hamilton.
Strengthening institutional cooperation
Diplomatic representatives emphasize the need to strengthen cooperation and institutions as key factors for long-term stability.
Norwegian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Kathrine Biering emphasized the importance of dialogue and respect for different views.
“Norway firmly believes in dialogue and acceptance of different points of view, as well as constructive criticism based on shared values and goals,” said Biering.
Political influences and narratives
However, in practice, old political narratives and external pressures dictate the course of political trends. In RS, it is changing. From pro-Russian to, conditionally speaking, pro-American.
Political analyst Tanja Topić assessed that political directions in RS are changing in accordance with global circumstances.
“I don’t think that this process will be completely stopped. We have also seen threats coming from Donald Trump about leaving NATO, but I don’t believe that will happen. In any case, whatever the Trump administration decides on NATO integration will be monitored,” said Topić.
President of the Atlantic Council of Serbia Dragan Šormaz warned of the danger of returning to old patterns.
“There is a return to some old stories, not completely like in the 1990s, but very close to it,” said Šormaz.
NATO as a security framework
The President of the Atlantic Initiative Edina Bećirević pointed out the need to strengthen the democratic resilience of the countries of the region.
“The key question is how to strengthen democratic resilience in the mostly weakened countries of the Western Balkans, especially considering that citizens have often shown a greater sense of security than political elites,” said Bećirević.
Therefore, the only security framework for the countries of the Western Balkans must remain the NATO alliance, but, by all accounts, Bosnia and Herzegovina will wait for an invitation to full membership for the coming years.
Dean of the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Sarajevo Sead Turčalo emphasized that the issue of integration should not be neglected.
“We are now fully aware that the period until the end of this year is lost, but that does not mean that we should stop talking about this topic,” said Turčalo.
And while security challenges are becoming increasingly globalized, the answers — it seems — still depend on local readiness and political will, Federalna writes.
