Members of the PABiH Delegation to the NATO PA participated in the plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton

The Chair of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), Kemal Ademović, together with the Deputy Chairs of the Delegation, Marina Pendeš and Obren Petrović, participated in the Spring Plenary Session of the NATO PA, held in Dayton, United States of America.

The session was opened by the Head of the United States Delegation to the NATO PA, Congressman Michael R. Turner, who underlined in his address that preserving peace and security is NATO’s core mission, emphasising the importance of lasting global stability in the current geopolitical context. This was followed by statements from senior officials of Western Balkan and neighbouring countries.

Speakers included the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj; the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović; the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of North Macedonia, Timčo Mucunski; and the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani. These addresses highlighted the importance of security in the Western Balkans, as well as the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law thirty years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war and brought peace to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The speakers particularly emphasised NATO’s key role in maintaining stability, the need for enhanced regional cooperation, and the continuation of Euro-Atlantic integration.

The NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, also addressed the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, followed by an interactive Q&A session. In his speech, Rutte stressed the importance of the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague as a key moment for reinforcing collective defence and deterrence, and for improving the Alliance’s operational capabilities in facing new and complex threats. He also stated that NATO would not allow any disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that resolving internal problems is solely the responsibility of the country’s leaders, whom he urged to take responsibility and lead the country towards stability and prosperity.

During the continuation of the plenary session, the resolution entitled "Elevating NATO’s Defence and Deterrence Capability to the Next Level at the Summit in The Hague" was adopted, presented by NATO PA Vice-President Agnes Vadai. The resolution reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the Western Balkans and expressed serious concern regarding, as stated, the latest legal measures and initiatives in the Republika Srpska entity in BiH which undermine and threaten the constitutional order, sovereignty, and the territorial and functional integrity of the country, as well as the Dayton Peace Agreement signed 30 years ago.

The resolution "Peace Through Strength in Ukraine" was also adopted at this session, reaffirming long-term political, military, and humanitarian support for Ukraine. (End)