A conversation with NATO Secretary General Mr. Mark Rutte at the Faculty of Political Sciences, UNSA
On 10 March, the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Sarajevo had the honor of hosting NATO Secretary General Mr. Mark Rutte. In his address and the subsequent responses to students' inquiries, he conveyed several significant messages regarding security, regional stability, and Bosnia and Herzegovina's Euro-Atlantic integration.
He underscored that security constitutes the foundation for economic growth and that NATO membership could substantially facilitate Bosnia and Herzegovina's journey towards the European Union. Simultaneously, he cautioned that threats of secession jeopardize every advance, emphasizing the necessity of leaving the past behind and collaboratively forging a future.
Rutte affirmed NATO's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that full membership in the Alliance is a sovereign choice of the state. He also highlighted the critical role of Serbia in regional stability, with the message that Belgrade must act responsibly.
He touched upon the role of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, indicating that the Office of the High Representative should remain in effect as long as necessary. Discussing future security challenges, he remarked that NATO continues to rely on the leadership of the United States, while Europe is poised to assume greater responsibility for the Western Balkans as Washington's focus shifts towards the Indo-Pacific.
The NATO Secretary General warned that politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina must invest more seriously in defense, emphasizing that their expenditure should be “at least higher than that of Luxembourg.” This message, he noted, has been conveyed to members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers. He also pointed out that the Reform Program for 2024 has already been agreed upon, with the finalization for 2025 anticipated soon, emphasizing that substantive steps towards full NATO membership must continue.
Regarding internal reforms, Rutte stated that constitutional changes are possible but only through mutual agreement and consensus. He further mentioned that should there be a blockage of the EUFOR mandate in the future, NATO will find a solution, but for now, additional investments in the EUFOR Althea mission will be made.
Commenting on the actions of Milorad Dodik, he emphasized that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina must operate in accordance with legal procedures.
