NATO CHIEF: FULL SUPPORT FOR BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA’S SOVEREIGNTY, TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

ISTANBUL, March 10 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday reaffirmed the alliance’s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during a meeting in Sarajevo, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

"Our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina is steadfast. NATO fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Rutte in a joint press conference with representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He emphasised that NATO stands behind the principles of the Dayton Peace Agreement and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unity.

"Any actions that undermine Dayton, the constitutional order or national institutions are unacceptable. The international community is committed to ensuring peace and stability in the country," he added.

His remarks came amid growing regional tensions.

"I hear concerns about the security situation, but let's be clear, this is not 1992, and we will not allow a security vacuum to emerge," Rutte said.

He reiterated that NATO and its international partners would not allow a return to past conflicts.

"This is not 1992, and we will not allow a security vacuum to emerge,” he said, referring to the war that ended with the Dayton Peace Agreement.

"We will not allow hard-won peace to be jeopardised," he stressed.

Rutte pointed to the presence of EUFOR troops as a stabilising force and underscored NATO’s readiness to uphold a safe and secure environment.

"We already have a solid partnership, and we are prepared to build on NATO’s longstanding support to your country’s armed forces," he said.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU