NATO is currently very focused on the situation in BiH, Norwegian Ambassador Olav Reinertsen said Tuesday, whose Embassy also plays the role of the contact point between the Alliance and Bosnia.

“My task as a contact ambassador for NATO is to explain to the public what NATO means, what membership brings, but also how we can expand and deepen cooperation. Specifically, last year Secretary Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO must pay special attention to BiH, Georgia and Moldova, all because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a Norwegian, we are not part of the EU or EUFOR, but our support is complete for the Althea forces, which have a mandate to preserve a safe environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the Ambassador said.

When asked to confirm the visit of the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, Ambassador Reinertsen replied: “The Secretary-General closely monitors the situation in the Western Balkans, I saw speculations about his visit, it has not been fully confirmed, but I know that he expressed interest in visiting BiH, during the peace conferences. If the visit takes place, it will be another confirmation of NATO's commitment to BiH,” Reinertsen noted.

Speaking about the EUFOR mission, the Norwegian Ambassador pointed out that he hopes the mandate will be extended in the UN Security Council.

“Things should not be complicated, this was clearly underlined in Dayton [Peace Agreement], the forces of the international community will take care of the security of BiH citizens,” He said.

When asked if the fears of the Hungarian leadership of EUFOR are justified, Ambassador Reinertsen answered “Your excellent Minister of Defense Zukan Helez expressed concern, including to me personally, but I must say that I am not worried at all, I expect Hungary to lead EUFOR with the same capacity as the previous Austrian commander did and I think that in general for the mandate of EUFOR, they need to have the resources to fulfil their executive mandate and their operational role,” the Ambassador concluded.