NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina Hold Talks on Expanding Cooperation

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska met with Denis Bećirović in Brussels on May 6 to discuss strengthening cooperation between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to NATO, the discussions focused on ongoing partnership activities, defense reform efforts, institutional cooperation, and regional security developments in the Western Balkans.

The meeting also addressed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s cooperation within NATO partnership frameworks, including reform implementation, interoperability initiatives, and resilience related programs supported by the alliance.

NATO officials reiterated support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while emphasizing the importance of continued political dialogue and institutional functionality.

Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program and maintains cooperation with the alliance through the Defense Capacity Building Initiative and the Reform Program process. The country has also contributed personnel to international peace support operations in previous years.

Progress on some NATO related reforms has remained affected by internal political disagreements, particularly regarding defense property registration and coordination between state level institutions. Despite these challenges, cooperation with NATO has continued through training, advisory support, and modernization activities.

The consultations come as NATO maintains increased engagement across the Western Balkans following the deterioration of the European security environment after 2022. The alliance continues to prioritize regional stability, cyber resilience, and institutional support programs in Southeast Europe.

NATO maintains a headquarters office in Sarajevo that supports defense reform and partnership activities with Bosnia and Herzegovina.