NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska said in Brussels on Tuesday, ahead of a meeting with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that the Alliance will not allow the hard-won peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be jeopardized, Anadolu reports.
The members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina are visiting NATO headquarters in Brussels, where they are participating in a session of the North Atlantic Council (NAC).
“NATO’s engagement in the Western Balkans region is long-standing, and just last week NATO foreign ministers confirmed our firm commitment to the stability of the region and the preservation of security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We remain concerned about the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Šekerinska said.
She reiterated that NATO firmly supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.
“The Dayton Peace Agreement must be respected. It is the cornerstone of stability and state architecture of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Secondly, the constitutional order in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be respected. We will not accept any security vacuum in Bosnia and Herzegovina and we will not allow the hard-won peace to be jeopardized,” said Šekerinska.
She recalled that “NATO remains closely linked to its international partners in this.”
“A stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina will benefit everyone, and this is also our security interest. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a valued partner. We are ready to further consolidate our cooperation through the implementation of the defense capacity building package through the daily efforts of our headquarters in Sarajevo and our political engagement support cell,” added Šekerinska.
She emphasized the importance of the EUFOR Althea mission and the role of the High Representative, whose authority, she said, must be preserved.
“We all want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina progress on its European and Euro-Atlantic path,” added Šekerinska.
He believes that much has already been achieved in this regard and “we hope and expect that together with our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina we will continue to build on these foundations for the benefit of all who live there.”
The members of the BiH Presidency are visiting Brussels following the recent visit of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
