On first day of the seminar, the introductory remarks were delivered by Head of the Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the NATO PA Mr Nikola Lovrinović, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džeferović, NATO PA Vice-President Mr Sverre Myrli, Swiss Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Andrea Rauber Saxer, while Mr Florian Bieber, Professor for Southeast European Studies at the Centre for Southeast European Studies of the University of Graz, had the introductory presentation.
The first session on the topic: “Euro-Atlantic Integration in the Western Balkans” during the first panel titled “Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO” was moderated by NATO PA Vice-President Mr Sverre Myrli, and the following spoke: President of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Mr Mladen Ivanić, Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Marina Pendeš and Slovak Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (NATO Contact Point Embassy) Mr Ján Pšenica. During the discussion that followed, the participants exchanged views on the course of Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans, the current political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and activities that Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken on the road to NATO membership in the past, plans and prospects for the upcoming period.
Within the second panel of this session on the topic: “Promoting Understanding of the Alliance and Dispelling Stereotypes”, moderated by Member of the Croatian Delegation to the NATO PA Mr Miro Kovač, discussion of the participants was encouraged by speeches of: Director of the Center for International Relations in Banja Luka Mr Miloš Šolaja; Senior Research Fellow at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy Mr Miloš Popović and President of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro Mr Savo Kentera. During the discussion that followed, participants of the meeting jointly stated the importance of continuous informing of citizens about the activities and results of the North Atlantic Alliance, presenting the values and achievements of the rule of law and democratic principles, while a part of the discussion in this regard was devoted to dispelling stereotypes and also to the question of neutrality.
The event was continued by the topic “Defence and Security Sector Reform in Bosnia And Herzegovina” which was moderated by Deputy Head Southeast Europe Division of DCAF Ms Antje Fritz and the following spoke on this occasion: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the NATO Coordination Team in Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministries Mr Josip Brkić on: “Defence And Security Sector“; NATO Commander in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Giselle Willz on “NATO’s Assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Defence Reform“, Head of Department for International Cooperation in the Sector for International Cooperation and European Integration of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ms Ankica Tomić on “Gender Mainstreaming in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Security Sector” and Chairperon of the Joint Committee for Security and Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr Sifet Podžić.
The event is organised by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) in cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The seminar brought together over 100 participants, from NATO member states and partner countries, senior officials mainly from the host country and representatives of international organisations, non-governmental sector, universities and the public. The seminar is aimed at providing a forum for discussion at parliamentary level on security issues among main legislators of NATO countries and their counterparts from partnering countries, as well as providing current information from the said field.
Parliament of Montenegro Standing Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is being presented at the 94th Rose-Roth Seminar & Mediterranean and Middle East Special Group by Mr Obrad Mišo Stanišić.
