The Prime Minister has announced today that military experts from the UK will be dispatched to Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the NATO Mission and advance stability and security there (Thursday 30th June).
Given that secessionist leaders are actively trying to further polarize the country and foment violence, Bosnia and Herzegovina is today under the biggest existential threat in its post-war history.
These initiatives are supported by Moscow as part of Putin’s effort to erode Bosnia’s stability and Euro-Atlantic membership.
A UK military counter-disinformation specialist and a civilian strategic defense adviser will be sent to support and train the Bosnian and Herzegovinian Armed Forces at the request of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo.
The counter-disinformation specialist will strengthen NATO’s headquarters and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ability to fend against negative influences, assisting in thwarting attempts by Russia and others to foment discord and undermine democracy in the nation and the region.
The country’s defense reform will be aided by the new strategic defense adviser, who will work to create a modern, representative armed forces that meets NATO standards.
Additionally, the UK will contribute £750,000 to create a world-class cyber-security center at the University of Sarajevo.
This will strengthen Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defenses against cyberattacks, which have the potential to harm citizens inside and outside the nation.
The UK will collaborate closely with Bosnian institutions and media outlets to give them the resources they need to spot and counteract false information.
In order to keep Bosnia firmly set on a Euro-Atlantic trajectory, the Ministry of Defense is now collaborating with its Bosnian counterpart to build the competence and resiliency the Bosnian Armed Forces require to handle the security challenges they face.
The support acknowledges the UK’s pioneering role in thwarting malicious influence and promoting security and stability.
Since British forces played a crucial role in the humanitarian operations during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, the UK has had a long-standing commitment to peace and security in the area.
Since then, UK forces have consistently supported the nation, aiding in its reconstruction and preserving and advancing peace.
Deputy Prime Minister:
We cannot allow Putin to use the Western Balkans as another hunting field for his nefarious activities. Russia aims to undo the gains made in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past three decades, gains that have increased stability across our entire continent, by stoking the fires of sectarianism and secessionism.
Therefore, in response to our friends’ pleas for assistance in preserving the peace that Bosnia and Herzegovina so richly deserves, we are increasing our assistance to the country.
The UK is working politically to safeguard the historic Dayton Peace Accords in addition to providing military assistance to NATO and the Bosnian Armed Forces.
We have penalized those who want to undermine the rule of law in the nation, and the Prime Minister last year created a new Special Envoy to the Western Balkans to combat severe and organized crime as well as other shared security issues.