Press statement

Your Excellencies, good afternoon.

It is my pleasure to meet all of you here today in Sarajevo.

Three decades after the Dayton Peace Agreement, I can tell you, NATO remains firmly committed to the stability of this region.

And to the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I have three main messages to deliver today.

But one is really the main message.

First, our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina is steadfast.

NATO fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Dayton Peace Agreement is the cornerstone of peace in this country and must be respected.

And we support the Office of the High Representative.

Any actions that undermine Dayton, the constitutional order, or national institutions are unacceptable.

Inflammatory rhetoric and actions are dangerous. They pose a direct threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina stability and security.

But here comes my real main message.

It will be up to the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to take their responsibility here. And that is you three. The three of you.

There is no other show in town. You have got to do this. And I said that also in the meeting. You asked me to repeat what I said in the meeting.

And this was my main message. 

This country is looking at the three of you. This is about personal leadership. Make this country proud of its presidency.

And solve this problem. And it will very much not only help this country forward, but also the region and the whole of Europe.

Of course, 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.

The international community is here and committed to continuing our strong support including through EUFOR and NATO.

I know that EUFOR is fully prepared to uphold a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. And I look forward to visiting Camp Butmir later today.

We will not allow hard won peace to be jeopardised.

NATO will continue to support you on your European and on your Euro-Atlantic path, on which you are advancing. We do this along with our international partners, including the European Union as well as the High Representative, again, whose authority must be preserved. 

It is essential that the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina do their share, as well.

The entire region will benefit from a genuine commitment to reconciliation and lasting peace.

I am stressing the same point to all actors in the region.

Let me really underscore this. To all actors in the region.

And finally, we are committed to our cooperation and want to see it grow.

We already have a solid partnership.

And we are prepared to build on NATO’s long-standing support to your country’s armed forces and to defence and security reforms.

And yes, it will be great if you could spend somewhat more on your armed forces, I agree.

We are well equipped to do this, including through

• Our Headquarters in Sarajevo;
• Our newly established Political Cell;
• And our Defence Capacity Building Package.

So, we are ready to move forward. In lockstep with you. And in line with your sovereign decisions.

Your sovereignty and your territorial integrity as set out in the Dayton Accords remain fundamental to both the security and the stability of the region.

So, Bosnia and Herzegovina can count on NATO's unwavering support.

But let me come back to what is really my main message today.

You have got to solve this. The three of you. I really believe this is your appointment with history.

Again, thank you so much for having me here today.

And of course, I look forward to our continuing discussions and to your visit to Brussels in April.

Again, thank you so much.