Shaheen: I think Putin would prefer EUFOR rather than NATO in BiH – Sarajevo Times

Senator Jeanne Shaheen is the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and is one of the key figures for foreign policy in the Senate, the upper house of the US Congress.

She visited Bosnia and Herzegovina twice in the past six months and is the author of a new legislative proposal on American policy towards the Western Balkans. For Voice of America, she talks about her increased engagement when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We tried to do a few things. First, to convey a sense of concern, which we saw when we were in BiH, to the State Department here in the US, the Department of Defense and our NATO allies. We heard concerns about the continuation of the EUFOR mission and also about continuing ethnic tensions, and the rise in those tensions. So every time I have the opportunity in a hearing, and my colleagues do the same, I raise those concerns, as we do privately. Senators Tillis, Murphy, and I sent a letter to Secretaries Blinken and Austin , expressing our concerns about EUFORs mandate, which will have to be renewed on November 2. Its not clear what Russia will do about it, so we think its important to have a backup plan.

We are also working on new laws. Senator Wicker and I are working on legislation for the Western Balkans that would try to promote anti-corruption efforts, that would look at how we can foster trade and economic ties, and also make into state law the executive sanctions that are in place.

One of the topics discussed was the role of NATO. I think Vladimir Putin would prefer EUFOR to continue its mandate rather than NATO coming in as a backup option. I was just at Camp Butmir when I was in Bosnia last week and had the opportunity to meet with the generals there to discuss their mission and their efforts to ensure a continued commitment to peace and stability in the country, Senator Jeanne Shaheen told the Voice of America.

At the beginning of next month, the United Nations Security Council should consider extending the mandate of the Althea Mission and the remaining EUFOR forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The rest is here:
Shaheen: I think Putin would prefer EUFOR rather than NATO in BiH - Sarajevo Times