Reading Stoltenberg's and Ivanić's Messages: What NATO Means to BiH, and What BiH Means to NATO

The visit of Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, to Bosnia and Herzegovina is significant for several aspects. This was clearly discernible from his messages after meetings with BiH officials, writes Patria.

- NATO has been in this region for two decades to help stabilize the region, end the war, and maintain peace. NATO and all allies will do everything to calm tensions and avoid any tensions or escalation – that is the message I am conveying to all actors in this region, Stoltenberg was clear.

With his visit, the head of the Alliance made it clear to us that BiH remains within NATO's sphere of interest, and that their doors are still open to us.

Also, the visit is a clear indication that warmongering rhetoric must cease, and that if it continues, NATO and its allies will do everything to help avoid any conflicts or escalation of violence.

Stoltenberg was more than open, without diplomatic ambiguity.

Just like the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Mladen Ivanić, who made it clear to everyone that BiH's membership in NATO will not be decided for at least another 5-6 years.

- There is no complete consensus on NATO membership, but there is on the MAP. This issue is premature. The generations currently politically active will not decide on membership. When the conditions for membership are met, someone else will decide on it at another time, Ivanić emphasized.

Serbia is the one deciding on BiH's entry into NATO, everyone knows this in both countries.

And as long as official Belgrade shows that the Alliance does not interest it, it will be the same with our country, because politicians from RS will never agree to give their consent.

The issue of the MAP is also relevant, of course, because RS does not allow the registration of military property (more than 20 locations), which is a key condition for activating this plan. There is no political will to fulfill it. Optimistic predictions are that this could happen by the end of this year.