General Pavel: BiH could become a haven for terrorism, NATO will react if necessary

The Balkans are still a potential source of war conflicts, said Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Petr Pavel, and stated that the North Atlantic Alliance must have the capacity to deter adversaries and defend its members, as well as a greater role in the fight against terrorism, reports the Patria News Agency. 

"The NATO alliance must have the capacity, strength, and resources to deter adversaries and defend its members from any threat," General Pavel said at a press conference in Split after a day-long conference of the NATO Military Committee.

Presenting the conference conclusions, he emphasized that the meeting in Split was an opportunity for the Chiefs of Staff of NATO member states, two strategic NATO commanders, and a representative of Montenegro, which received an invitation to join NATO, to gather so that they "could discuss the implementation of decisions made by the heads of state and government at the NATO summit in Warsaw in July."
 
According to him, NATO has achieved a lot in adapting to new circumstances, but continuous adaptation of the North Atlantic Alliance is needed.

"NATO should have a greater role in the fight against terrorism," he stressed.

He warned of the dangers in the Balkans, assessing that the situation in that part of Europe is "far from stable."
 
"The situation in the Balkans is not only far from stable, and we are all aware of that, but the Western Balkans are still a potential source of war conflicts. The Balkans are threatened by Islamic terrorism, but also by Russian influence," said General Pavel.

According to his interpretation, when talking about the need for protection from "Islamic extremism," then "the whole of Europe should be concerned about it."

"Bosnia and Herzegovina could become a haven for terrorism, and that would be a problem for Europe, and in that case, North America could also be concerned. It is in our interest that Bosnia and Herzegovina does not become a haven for terrorism, and if necessary, we (NATO) will take measures in that regard," said General Pavel, writes Index.