NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo. This time, students at the faculty had the opportunity to ask questions to the first man of NATO. Serious, clear, specific questions. The inevitable question was – how NATO views the secessionist attempts of the authorities from RS.
“NATO is not here only for Republika Srpska, we are here to help Bosnia and Herzegovina build up its Armed Forces. We are not here only to deal with the RS. We are worried, because we cannot have a security vacuum,” said Rutte.
Just as NATO will not allow a security vacuum, it does not want to jeopardize the peace that, Rutte notes, was achieved with difficulty. At the same time, he did not hide from Rutte that a stable region of the Western Balkans is in NATO’s interest.
“You should look at the benefits that Croatia and Montenegro have from NATO membership. It is your choice, we will support the reforms. The University of Sarajevo, like NATO, is celebrating 75 years. Now this baton is passed to you, this baton is passed to a new generation, to close the door to the difficult past. The fate of this country is closely linked to the European Union,” Rutte said.
The students also asked what NATO’s role is in preserving the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first man of the Alliance emphasizes that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a sovereign country, and adds:
“It is up to you to solve this and that is my message. I was a little surprised when I spoke to the politicians here and their reactions about the High Representative. If you come to an agreement, then you will not even need the High Representative. You have a court ruling, you have a High Representative and you need to accept reality. Bosnia and Herzegovina is spending less on the Armed Forces than it should.”
To end his address, Rutte sent a message to domestic leaders. Dialogue is crucial and before you turn to any international body or high representative, do not forget that you are the ones elected by the citizens, you must lead them and this whole country forward.
