NATO fully supports sovereignty, territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Alliance chief

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday reaffirmed the alliance’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during a meeting in Sarajevo.

"Our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina is steadfast. NATO fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Rutte in a joint press conference with representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He emphasized that NATO stands behind the principles of the Dayton Peace Agreement and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unity.

"Any actions that undermine Dayton, the constitutional order or national institutions are unacceptable," he said.

"The international community is committed to ensuring peace and stability in the country," he added.

His remarks came amid growing regional tensions.

"I hear concerns about the security situation, but let's be clear, this is not 1992, and we will not allow a security vacuum to emerge," Rutte said.

He reiterated that NATO and its international partners would not allow a return to past conflicts.

"This is not 1992, and we will not allow a security vacuum to emerge,” he said, referring to the war that ended with the Dayton Peace Agreement.

"We will not allow hard-won peace to be jeopardized," he stressed.

Rutte pointed to the presence of EUFOR troops as a stabilizing force and underscored NATO’s readiness to uphold a safe and secure environment.

"We already have a solid partnership, and we are prepared to build on NATO’s longstanding support to your country’s armed forces," he said.

- Political leaders urged to take responsibility

Rutte called on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders to rise to the challenge of maintaining stability.

Speaking directly to the three representatives of the Bosnia and Herzegovinia Presidency, Zeljka Cvijanovic, Denis Becirovic, and Zeljko Komsic, he stressed the importance of leadership in addressing the country’s ongoing challenges.

"This country is looking at the three of you. This is about personal leadership. Make this country proud of its presidency and solve this problem," Rutte said.

"It will be up to the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take their responsibility here," he added.

Becirovic, for his part, welcomed NATO’s support, calling it a vital stabilizing force against misinformation and external threats.

"My message to people today is that we need to stabilize the situation in Bosnia Herzegovina, that all in Bosnia should observe and comply with constitutional order authorities and competencies of the state and lower levels of government," he said.

However, Cvijanovic expressed reservations but reaffirmed Republika Srpska’s commitment to continued cooperation with NATO.

"I think it's important to build a stronger understanding with NATO forces, but also with everyone else present here who have good intentions towards this country," she added.