Bećirović: NATO membership is the only serious security guarantee

(Patria) - As part of the Munich Security Conference, BiH Presidency member Denis
Bećirović addressed the panel discussion this morning titled "Enlargement in the
Service of Protection: Removing Grey Zones in the European Neighbourhood".

The high-level panel included, among others, heads of government, ministers, members of the European Parliament and other EU member state parliaments, as well as the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajčak, UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Lord Stuart Peach, and High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt.

During his address at the panel, Bećirović emphasized that geopolitical circumstances clearly suggest that the accelerated integration of Western Balkan countries into the EU and NATO is the most effective way for them to exit the grey zone. In this context, he stressed the great importance of the European Council making a decision in March to open accession negotiations for Bosnia and Herzegovina with the EU.

"This would be an extremely positive signal, but also one of the concrete steps towards leaving the grey zones," Bećirović stressed.

Speaking about the need for the West to take concrete steps to remove grey zones in Europe, which are a constant source of instability, conflict, and wars, Bećirović pointed out that NATO membership is the only serious security guarantee, and that NATO enlargement simultaneously means suppressing grey zones. Slowing down NATO enlargement could lead to a dangerous scenario where grey zones could turn into black ones. Therefore, completing the NATO enlargement policy process in the Western Balkans represents an investment in collective stability and security.

On the path to exiting the grey zone, BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović sees the necessity of enhanced economic cooperation between Southeast and Eastern European countries. Economic and energy security and sovereignty are not isolated issues, but part of the overall security structure. To reduce exposure to Russian influence, it is necessary to diversify energy sources and supply routes. In parallel, work should be done on developing the necessary infrastructure (new gas pipelines and LNG terminals, as well as improving storage capacities).

During his address at the Munich Security Conference panel, Bećirović conveyed that the European Political Community can also contribute to strengthening the continent's security.

He stressed that it should be complementary to the EU enlargement policy, without the risk of becoming a substitute for future EU enlargements. EU enlargement has geopolitical significance for both the EU and the countries that are not yet part of the EU.

"Accelerated integration of Western Balkan countries, as well as other countries in the enlargement process, would contribute to the stability of the entire continent. At the same time, the potential for conflicts and harmful influences of grey zones would be reduced," Bećirović concluded in his speech.