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Sarajevo (Fena) – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was on a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, where he met with top state officials, including members of the Presidency of BiH, the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, and ministers of foreign affairs, defense, and security.
His visit comes in the context of growing global geopolitical challenges, instability on the European continent, and political tensions within Bosnia and Herzegovina itself.
Rutte emphasized that NATO remains committed to the stability of the region and the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina nearly three decades after the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in BiH.
Our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina is strong. NATO fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH. The Dayton Peace Agreement remains the foundation of peace in this country and must be respected – Mark Rutte
He also warned that any attempts to undermine the Dayton Agreement, the constitutional order, or state institutions are unacceptable. He said this is not 1992 and a security vacuum will not be allowed. Rutte points out that the international community remains committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina through EUFOR and NATO missions.
The Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović supported the strengthening of EUFOR and NATO presence due to the increasing spread of disinformation and threats.
On the other hand, a member of the Presidency Denis Bećirović stated that Rutte is a “great friend of the Euro-Atlantic and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Željko Komšić, the third member of the Presidency, emphasized that BiH needs to increase defense spending to align with NATO standards.
The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto believes that there are no security threats in the country and that state institutions operate stably.
Rutte also visited the NATO command in Sarajevo (NHQSa) in Camp Butmir, where he met with representatives of NATO, the European Union, and the high representative for BiH.
The visit of NATO Secretary General Rutte is an important indicator that Bosnia and Herzegovina and its institutions remain a priority for the international community – announced the OHR on the platform X.
In addressing students from Sarajevo, Mostar, and East Sarajevo, Rutte highlighted that BiH has a historic opportunity for peace and prosperity and should seize opportunities that will firmly direct it toward a European future. “The Dayton Agreement may not be perfect, but it is the foundation of peace in BiH and must be respected,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (11.3.)