Every country has the sovereign right to choose its own security arrangements, it was said for "Avaz" from the NATO headquarters in Brussels, in response to the warning of the Russian Embassy in B&H that Russia will have to react in case of practical rapprochement between B&H and NATO.

Open threats

-Whether countries decide to cooperate with NATO – either through partnerships or as full members of the Alliance - is up to each individual applicant and the 30 Allies. No third party has the right to intervene or veto such a process. Any threats in this respect are unacceptable - NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told us.

She added that the time of spheres of influence is over.

Long-standing cooperation

-NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina have a long-standing and mutually beneficial cooperation. Cooperation with NATO does not prejudge any potential future NATO membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We fully respect the country’s sovereignty and independence and we welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued contributions to our Euro-Atlantic security – concluded Lungescu.