This week, from March 23 to 26, 2026, the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina is once again hosting the large NATO Strategic Military Partnership Conference (MSPC 26), which this year brings together more than 380 participants from more than 50 countries.
The conference in Sarajevo’s “Hills” hotel is organized by NATO’s Directorate for Partnership at the Supreme Allied Command Europe (SHAPE PD), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of BiH and NATO Headquarters Sarajevo.
The opening was addressed by BiH Minister of Defense Zukan Helez and Deputy Head of SHAPE in the Partnership Directorate, Turkish Rear Admiral Yusuf Karagülle, in the presence of SHAPE Chief of Staff German General Markus Laubenthal, Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH Colonel General Gojko Knežević and other high-ranking officials of the MoD of BiH, members of the General Assembly of the Armed Forces of BiH and representatives of partner countries.
The conference brings together representatives of NATO member states, partner countries and military educational institutions to discuss military cooperation and strengthening the partnership. This year, the conference is being held on the topic of strengthening resilience to various security threats that exist around the world today.
In his opening address at the conference, Minister Zukan Helez emphasized that BiH, as the repeat host of such a gathering, is once again proving to be a reliable partner to the NATO Alliance, its members and partners, all in the function of improving joint efforts to preserve peace and security from modern threats.
“The continuity of hosting such an important international gathering is a strong indicator of the trust that international partners have in BiH institutions, but also a clear confirmation of our strategic commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration,” emphasized Minister Helez.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina sees its path towards the NATO alliance as a path of stability, institutional development and strengthening of defense capacities. In that process, education and training occupy a special place. At a time when the international security architecture is facing complex challenges, cooperation in the field of education and training becomes even more significant. Through joint programs, the exchange of instructors, the development of modern programs aligned with NATO standards and the organization of joint exercises, we create the foundations for effective and coordinated action in the future.”
The Chief of Staff of the Supreme Command of the Allied Forces in Europe, General Laubenthal, in his statement to the media emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a true example of the value of partnership.
“Our cooperation extends from high-level political dialogue to military cooperation in all areas, supporting the development of capabilities and strengthening interoperability between the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO,” said Laubenthal.
“The discussions at the conference are not just symbolic – they are fundamental elements, strengthening NATO’s commitment to regional and global security and stability. Resilience to modern threats is a key part of this strength. Military power alone does not protect societies. Our cooperation ensures that together we can anticipate risks, manage crises and respond effectively to threats before they escalate.”
In his opening remarks, Rear Admiral Yusuf Karagülle stressed that the conference participants will also gain insight into key topics, including trends in international security, strategic military approaches to resilience through civil preparedness and building defence capabilities.
“Given the geopolitical uncertainty we face, NATO’s relationship with Partner countries is crucial to strengthening NATO’s collective resilience, as well as collective defence,” said Rear Admiral Karagülle. He stressed that NATO partnerships must continue to evolve, ensuring that both Allies and partners remain adaptable in this changing environment.
On the first day of the conference, it is planned that the participants of the meeting will visit the “Rajlovac” Barracks of the Armed Forces of BiH, where they will be practically presented with some capabilities of the Armed Forces of BiH units declared for international operations.
On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Helez also had a bilateral meeting with General Laubenthal, where they discussed various aspects of cooperation and development of the interoperability of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina with NATO military forces.
