NATO Chief Reiterates Alliance’s Commitment to Southeast Europe

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Tuesday (31 May) that the Alliance anticipates closer co-operation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro, assuming the two countries fulfil their international obligations. “We are holding out the prospect of enhanced co-operation with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro — provided they meet certain conditions, notably full co-operation with The Hague,” de Hoop Scheffer said at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly session in Ljubljana. Noting that the Alliance is working closely with the three Adriatic Charter states — Albania, Croatia and Macedonia — he stressed that NATO “remains committed to helping all the countries of Southeast Europe to follow in Slovenia’s footsteps” and achieving Euro-Atlantic integration.

In other news, Irish Defence Minister Willie O’Dea visited Sarajevo on Tuesday for a meeting with High Representative Paddy Ashdown. O’Dea said Ireland is determined to keep troops in the Balkans as long as necessary.

Check Also

Montenegro’s Window of Opportunity

The new government’s pledge to align with EU standards makes Montenegro the likely next addition …