NATO statement from Bosnia and Herzegovina: 'Among our strategic priorities...'

Denis Becirovic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Becirovic and Stoltenberg held a joint press conference following the meeting.

"WITH PEACE AND SECURITY IN THIS COUNTRY..."

Speaking at the press conference, Stoltenberg stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a NATO partner for a long time and that they strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adding, "We commend Bosnia and Herzegovina for the progress it has made recently on the path to EU membership. On the other hand, we continue to have deep concerns regarding separatist policies and divisive rhetoric. This is reckless and dangerous. It undermines hard-won progress and hinders reforms that would benefit your people. Leaders in the country need to work together to preserve unity and secure state institutions. This is the key to peace and security in the country and stability in the Western Balkans."

Emphasizing that NATO supports security reform efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and helps the country strengthen its defense capacity, Stoltenberg said they appreciate Bosnia and Herzegovina's contributions to shared security and welcome their efforts to update their armed forces to work more closely with NATO.

"I PROPOSED THAT NATO SEND A MEMBERSHIP INVITATION"

Denis Becirovic, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed many reforms in the field of defense and has fulfilled all official requirements to apply for NATO membership, saying, "We are now on the threshold of NATO membership, and we need to seize this opportunity for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

Expressing that Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready for NATO membership and calling on Stoltenberg to extend a membership invitation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and for NATO to renew its presence at military bases in the country, Becirovic said, "I made concrete proposals. These include NATO implementing the Membership Action Plan more comprehensively and taking the commitment between Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO to a higher and more concrete level. We are all aware of the recent situation, and in this context, I proposed a NATO presence and the organization of regular meetings at military bases in Bosnia and Herzegovina to help prevent the disruption of peace in the country. Finally, I proposed that NATO take an important step and send us a membership invitation."

FULL MEMBERSHIP IN NATO

Stating that NATO is of key importance in maintaining security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Becirovic said, "NATO has been authorized under Annex 1A of the Dayton Peace Agreement to deploy forces to Bosnia and Herzegovina if peace is threatened. NATO's international mandate to intervene is clear. I support the possibility of NATO forces being stationed at military bases in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Full membership in NATO is among our strategic priorities."

Becirovic said that state bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina have adopted all necessary legal, strategic, and contextual documents in the field of defense and are now ready for joint activities within the framework of NATO standards. While Bosnia and Herzegovina's membership in NATO is supported by Bosniak and Croat politicians, it is not supported by Bosnian Serb politicians, who are known for their closeness to Russia and Serbia.

News Source: İHA