Would we respond better to the coronavirus epidemic if we were a NATO member?

(Patria) - NATO, as one of the key international actors, has shown its strength and importance for member states, as well as other partner countries, in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the Center for Security Studies believes it is important to inform the domestic public about the measures taken by NATO and its allies in response to the new situation, but also to emphasize once again why it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become a full member of the Alliance as soon as possible.

"Allied armed forces play a vital role in supporting national civilian responses. This support includes logistics and planning, field hospitals, patient transport, and disinfection of public areas and border crossings. The NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) is an important tool that helps member states. The Centre operates 24 hours a day, coordinating requests from member and partner countries for assistance in mitigating the consequences of major crises, such as the coronavirus pandemic. For example, in response to a request from Spain and Italy submitted through this Centre, the Czech Republic provided these countries with medical supplies, including 10,000 protective masks and suits each. Through the same mechanism, Turkey is supplying Spain and Italy with medical supplies," the CSS stated.

We remind you that Bosnia and Herzegovina, through this Centre, requested international assistance on April 2 in response to the coronavirus epidemic.

"The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) also plays a leading role in crisis response. In addition to logistical support, the Agency organizes the transport of key supplies and equipment to allies. For example, the Agency helped Luxembourg significantly increase its hospital capacity in less than 24 hours.

NATO also supports the Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS) program. This program allows member states to rent commercial transport aircraft. For example, the Czech Republic and Slovakia used this program for air transport of medical supplies, including protective masks, surgical gloves, and protective suits. As part of the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC), member and partner countries jointly own and operate three "C-17 Globemaster" heavy cargo aircraft, sharing flight hours and costs. For example, Romania used these capacities to import 10,000 protective suits.

The NATO rapid air mobility initiative, which has simplified procedures for military humanitarian flights, should not be overlooked either. This initiative was made possible by the close cooperation between NATO and the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL)," they explain.

Bilateral assistance between allies remains an important part of the international response, demonstrating the full strength and solidarity of NATO. German air forces transporting Italian and French patients for treatment, doctors from Poland and Albania traveling to help their Italian colleagues, are just some examples of such assistance.

In addition to its own capabilities, cooperation with partner countries and international organizations is crucial for NATO. Thus, NATO closely cooperates with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU). One such example of cooperation involves combating disinformation about the coronavirus, which is jointly carried out by NATO and EU officials. NATO is also in close contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

"The lack of capacity and certain practical examples that show we are not coping very well with the response to the coronavirus epidemic in our country, as well as the inability to predict that similar or worse situations will not occur in the future, once again confirm that Bosnia and Herzegovina must seriously commit to Euro-Atlantic integration. In addition to human casualties, our society is already feeling the economic consequences of the virus epidemic with a real possibility of the situation worsening. No one claims that, had we been full members of Euro-Atlantic structures, we would have painlessly eliminated all current and future consequences, but it would certainly have been easier for us. Therefore, this is an ideal time for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to recognize the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration, but also to, at the very first elections, punish those who scheme on the path to a safer future, on the path we all deserve and for which we must fight," the CSS adds.