NATO will not allow any security vacuum in Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) - Chairman of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH) to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) Kemal Ademović and Deputy Chairperson of the Delegation Marina Pendeš participated in the 107th Rose-Roth Seminar of the NATO PA, held at the European Parliament in Brussels.

On the second day of the seminar, participants focused on challenges to democratic resilience in the broader European and global context, with special emphasis on the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans region.

During one of the key sessions, titled "Euro-Atlantic Integration: Challenges to Democratic Resilience in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and the Western Balkans," participants exchanged views on current accession processes and security challenges facing these countries. The participants were addressed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Political Affairs and Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood Javier Colomina and the Director for Enlargement Coordination, Strategy and Investments of the European Commission Mathieu Bousquet.

It was emphasized that the Western Balkans region remains an area of strategic importance, where it is crucial to further strengthen resilience against disinformation, hybrid threats, and external political influences. NATO remains present in the region and provides support, particularly in the area of reforms and strengthening the security sector through cooperation with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was stated during the session.

Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO Javier Colomina, with whom members of the PA BiH Delegation met in Brussels, specifically addressed the issue of a possible veto on extending the mandate of the EUFOR Althea operation, stressing that NATO will not allow any security vacuum in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that it is ready to act if such a situation arises.

In the context of Euro-Atlantic integration, the Director for Enlargement Coordination, Strategy and Investments of the European Commission Mathieu Bousquet commented on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting that this country was the last to submit a proposal for a reform agenda, which is a consequence of challenges in coordination between different levels of government. The European Commission will analyze the submitted document and forward it for further procedure, Bousquet said.

The seminar was concluded by the President of the NATO PA Marcos Perestrello and the Head of the European Parliament Delegation to the NATO PA Salvatore De Meo, who thanked all participants for constructive discussions and emphasized that the exchanged opinions and conclusions of the seminar represent a valuable basis for further strengthening of common security policy and democratic resilience among allies and partners.