NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived on a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he met with the members of the BiH Presidency – Zeljka Cvijanovic, Zeljko Komsic, and Denis Becirovic. After the meeting, he addressed the public, emphasizing that NATO remains firmly committed to the stability of the region and the security of BiH.

“This is not 1992 and we will not allow a security vacuum. Bosnia and Herzegovina can count on NATO’s full support and should turn towards its European and Euro-Atlantic path,” Rutte stated.

He stressed that the Dayton Peace Agreement is the cornerstone of peace in BiH and must be respected, warning that any attempts to undermine the constitutional order or inflammatory rhetoric are unacceptable.

“In the end, it all comes down to the political leaders of this country. It is up to the three of you,” he said, addressing the members of the Presidency. “This country is looking at you three to lead it towards stability.”

Denis Becirovic, a member of the BiH Presidency, expressed satisfaction with NATO’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing that the alliance will not allow a security vacuum.

“NATO has given its full support to the role and mandate of the High Representative in BiH. Everyone in BiH must respect the constitutional order and the authority of state institutions. Any attempt to undermine them threatens peace and stability,” Becirovic stated.

He recalled the laws passed by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska aimed at banning the work of state judicial institutions in the entity, describing them as “a brutal attack on the constitutional order.”

“These are the most difficult moments since 1995. The only beneficiary of destabilization in this part of Europe would be Moscow,” Becirovic warned.

On the other hand, Zeljka Cvijanovic pointed out that opinions within BiH are divided regarding the causes of the current political crisis but that solutions must come from within.

“The High Representative Christian Schmidt cannot save BiH, but the entities Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH can. We must focus on resolving the problems that led to this crisis,” Cvijanovic stated.

She also emphasized the importance of the presence of EUFOR and NATO forces, citing “the mass production of disinformation and threats that have emerged, for now only on a verbal level.” Speaking about cooperation with NATO, she said that it is good and should continue, but warned against attempts to politicize the Armed Forces of BiH.

“Their engagement outside the law is not possible. The Armed Forces of BiH are professional and operate in accordance with the law, and that will not change,” Cvijanovic emphasized.

Zeljko Komsic, in his address, highlighted the responsibility of the BiH Presidency members in the current situation.

“Everything we heard from Rutte, I am ready to sign. But we must be aware that the people in BiH are looking at the three of us, waiting for good or bad news. Our duty is to mostly deliver good news,” Komsic stated.

He particularly stressed the need for BiH to increase its defense sector funding to align with NATO standards.

“Currently, no one in BiH is thinking about this. In the budget we are adopting today, defense allocations are nowhere near the official or unofficial standard of two percent of GDP,” Komsic warned.

Concluding his visit, Rutte reiterated his key message: NATO remains committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina and its security, but the country’s political leaders must take responsibility for its future.