Members of the BiH PA Delegation participate in the Plenary Session of the 71st Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Ljubljana

The Chair of the Delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH PA) to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), Kemal Ademović, together with the Deputy Chairs of the Delegation, Marina Pendeš and Obren Petrović, are participating in the plenary session of the 71st Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, held in Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia.

The plenary session was opened by the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Marcos Perestrello. In the opening part of the session, participants were also addressed by the Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, Danijel Krivec.

Via video link, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of unity and the determined defense of Ukraine for collective security and peace. He thanked the Allies for their continued support and expressed his expectation that this support will be maintained.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Robert Golob, in his address, reflected on the situation in the Western Balkan countries, emphasizing that he envisions them as part of a shared European and Euro-Atlantic future. He highlighted the importance of supporting these countries in implementing reforms and advancing their path toward full integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

In his address to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte underlined the importance of joint investment in collective defense and the implementation of goals adopted at the NATO Summit in The Hague, including increasing defense spending to 3.5% of GDP. He called on participants to actively support the Alliance’s policies and objectives through cooperation with their respective governments.

Rutte stressed the importance of strengthening the Alliance’s eastern flank following recent airspace violations in Estonia and drone incursions into Poland and praised the unified response of the Allies to these threats. He particularly emphasized the importance of developing the defense industry within the European Union and NATO, which, as he noted, together with increased investment, will contribute to the Alliance’s long-term security and readiness.

Among the resolutions adopted at the 71st Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the resolution titled “Fostering Stability and Reconciliation in the Western Balkans” holds particular significance for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The resolution reaffirms support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the importance of building democratic institutions, the rule of law, and media freedom as key elements for maintaining peace in the region.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly expressed strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic path. The presence of the EUFOR Althea mission was particularly highlighted as an important factor in maintaining a safe and secure environment, with a reminder of NATO’s commitment to its open-door policy and its continued support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations through the promotion of an inclusive political dialogue. (end).