NATO, concerned about secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia

2024-04-08 15:20:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, expressed the alliance's concern about the secessionist and divisive rhetoric heard in Bosnia and Herzegovina and expressed NATO's full support for the territorial integrity of this state.

He made these statements during a media conference in Brussels together with the current chairman of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Beqirovi?.

Although Stoltenberg did not name names, his statement appears to have been made in reference to Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who often warns of the separation of the Republika Srpska entity from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dodik, who is under US sanctions, maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposes Bosnia's NATO integration process.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that is part of the integration into the alliance through the Action Plan for NATO Membership, known by the abbreviation MAP.

"NATO supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time, we are deeply concerned with the secessionist and divisive rhetoric heard in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Stoltenberg.

He called on political leaders in Bosnia to work towards strengthening peace and stability.

"NATO supports reforms in the field of security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will continue to provide assistance in this direction, including in the modernization of the armed forces. "NATO has also welcomed the advancement of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EU integration process," said Stoltenberg.

Meanwhile, the next chairman of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Beqirovi?, said that the majority of his country's citizens support NATO membership. He said that for his country, support from NATO is vital to maintain peace and security.

"NATO, even through the decisions of the state bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has the powers to act in case the country's stability is put at risk", he said.

Beqirovi? said that he expects Bosnia to take the next step in relation to NATO and receive an invitation to become a member.

But the head of the alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, said that Bosnia must continue working on fulfilling the conditions in order to receive the membership invitation.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina has the status of the country that has the Action Plan for Membership. But there are two conditions. The first is to make the right reforms and this should continue. The second condition is that the people and authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina must want membership. Membership will not come tomorrow, but work must be done in this direction", said Stoltenberg.

Finally, the alliance has expanded by accepting two more members, Sweden and Finland. For a country to join the alliance, it needs unanimous support from the 32 allies./ REL