Bisera Turkovic, the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, met yesterday in Brussels with Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The interlocutors discussed the progress in the relations between BiH and NATO, as well as current political issues. Strong support for BiH’s territorial integrity and stability was expressed, and the concerns about rhetoric and activities undermining state institutions.
It was said that BiH and the Western Balkans are key to the stability of Europe and that NATO’s presence is continuous.
Minister Turkovic also conveyed to Secretary General Stoltenberg the concerns of BiH citizens due to the fact that the political crisis caused by anti-Dayton actions is increasingly turning into a security crisis and causes fear, especially among the returnee population in the BiH entity of Republika Srpska (RS), but also in other parts of BiH.
She emphasized that BiH supports NATO’s open-door policy, considering it a historic success that has brought and preserved peace. Fifteen years ago, with the signature of the then chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Nebojsa Radmanovic, BiH entered into the Partnership for Peace with NATO, which was a key contribution to progress.
”Every step further will mean more peace and security in BiH and the region,” Turkovic mentioned.
The Minister congratulated Secretary General Stoltenberg on his successful mandate. BiH Ambassador to NATO Mitar Kujundzic also attended the meeting.
E.Dz.
Source: Avaz
