Stoltenberg says NATO is concerned about Russia’s malign influence in the Western Balkans

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during his first visit to Sarajevo on Monday that the North Atlantic Alliance is concerned about the “divisive rhetoric of separation and signs of “malign foreign intervention”, particularly by Russia.

“It threatens to undermine stability and weaken reform.” All leaders must work to move forward. “It is very important for us and we are committed to the security and stability of this region and your country, which is very important for the Western Balkans region. That is why we are deepening the political dialog and our practical cooperation,” said Stoltenberg in Sarajevo .

He added that the allies “strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

Moscow’s intervention “threatens to undermine stability and weaken reforms”, he said.

Bosnia has struggled to overcome ethnic divisions since it was torn apart by civil war three decades ago in the wake of the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia. NATO played a major role in ending the 1992-1995 Bosnian war and implementing a US-sponsored peace plan that split the country into a Serb entity – the Republika Srpska – and a Bosnian-Croat federation tied to a weak government.

Meanwhile, the High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, said after the meeting with Stoltenberg that it was necessary to build confidence in the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that this was the responsibility of local politicians, among others.

“We are working on this and need the support of the EU and NATO,” said Schmidt.

Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of the High Representative for reconciliation processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and added that “any attempt to undermine his position will set Bosnia and Herzegovina back”, alluding to the nationalist president of Republika Srpska, who rejects the role of the High Representative.

Stoltenberg arrived in Bosnia late on Sunday and dined with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“We are working on this and need the support of the EU and NATO,” said Schmidt.

Meanwhile, NATO’s Secretary General said after visiting Bosnia in Kosovo that the alliance was considering a permanent increase in its military presence in Kosovo, following the outbreak of violence in northern Kosovo in September.

His statement comes after the terrorist attack in Banjka, which was organized by Milan Radojicic, then Vice President of the Serbian List. For this attack, Kosovo has accused Serbia of being behind in organization, support and logistics.

Regarding the increase in the number of KFOR members after this attack, Stoltenberg said that this showed how seriously the alliance was taking the violence, he said on November 20 at a joint press conference in Pristina with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.

“We are now considering a more permanent increase to ensure that this does not get out of control and does not lead to a new violent conflict in Kosovo or the wider region,” Stoltenberg said.

He said those responsible for the September 24 attack must be brought to justice and he would convey this message at the planned meetings in Belgrade on November 21.

“In September we saw a serious outbreak of violence in northern Kosovo which raised concerns that a major conflict could return to the Western Balkans,” he said, referring to the violence in May in which 93 KFOR personnel were injured, some in serious condition.

“Such violent attacks are unacceptable. Those responsible must be brought to justice,” he said.

After planned stops in Serbia and North Macedonia on November 21, Stoltenberg will take part in a meeting with the heads of state and government of NATO members Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Slovenia on November 22./The Geopost/