NATO chief ‘concerned’ over secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday expressed concern over secessionist rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We are concerned by secessionist and divisive rhetoric, and malign foreign interference including from Russia, that threatens to undermine stability and hamper reforms," said Stoltenberg at a joint news conference with head of the Bosnian government Borjana Kristo in the capital Sarajevo.

Stoltenberg called on all political leaders to preserve unity, build national institutions, and achieve reconciliation.

Kristo said the NATO chief's visit confirms the commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, peace building, internal dialogue and stability.

"Cooperation with NATO offers us extremely important opportunities to protect our security and strengthen our defense capacity," she said.

Kristo added that Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to fulfill all the necessary responsibilities when it comes to NATO membership.

Among Bosnia and Herzegovina's top priorities are joining the political and economic community of European states as well as NATO.

On Sunday evening, Stoltenberg arrived in Sarajevo for a two-day visit as part of his Balkan tour.