Members of the BiH Parliamentary Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly participated in the presentation of the NATO Orientation Program in Brussels

The Chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH) Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), Kemal Ademović, along with Deputy Chairs Marina Pendeš and Obren Petrović, participated in the presentation of the NATO Orientation Program in Brussels.

The NATO Orientation Program, organized in cooperation with NATO's Public Diplomacy Division, brought together parliamentarians from NATO member states, candidate countries, and partner nations, providing a unique opportunity for exchanging experiences and strengthening cooperation.

The program was opened by the Secretary General of the NATO PA, Ruxandra Popa, who welcomed all participants and provided an introduction to the role and mission of the NATO PA. The Swiss Mission Ambassador to NATO Jacques Pitteloud also delivered opening remarks, while the role of NATO was presented by Petr Luňák, NATO’s liaison officer with parliaments in the Public Diplomacy Division.

The following discussions focused on important topics, including NATO's political agenda after the Washington Summit and responses to security challenges, such as the war in Ukraine and the cooperation between China and Russia. Participants had the opportunity to hear about NATO's current operations, during which NATO emphasized its support for Bosnia and Herzegovina through the extension of the EUFOR Althea mission mandate and announced continued assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in its reform process and path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

NATO Assistant Secretary General Marie-Doha Besancenot highlighted, during a session on NATO's public diplomacy challenges, the high priority her department places on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The discussion stressed the importance of enhancing public promotion of NATO integration, as well as the values and benefits of NATO through the implementation of activities and projects.

On the second day of the program's presentation, discussions focused on NATO's engagement with partners in addressing common threats and challenges. The importance of cooperation with partners in the global security context was emphasized, as well as the urgent need to increase investments in defense capabilities and the military industry of NATO member states to preserve global peace. (end)