Jan 20 2021

NATO WELCOMES ADMIRAL BURKE AS HE TRAVELS WESTERN BALKANS

Today (20 January 2021), NATO Headquarters Sarajevo is hosting Allied Joint Force Commander, Admiral Robert P. Burke, on his first official trip to the Western Balkans.

Adm. Burke directs a combined staff, representing NATO’s 30 Allies, responsible for planning, preparing, and conducting military operations throughout the Supreme Allied Commander Europe's area of responsibility.

This is my first visit to the region, and I will visit KFOR in Pristina, Sarajevo and Belgrade. I expect it to be the first of many visits. The main purpose of the visit is for me to introduce myself and my team and meet with the NATO commanders and officials. I intend to explain what it is that we do, exchange views and ideas, improve our established channels of communication and explore possibilities to further advance our cooperation,

said Admiral Burke.

NATO HQ Sarajevo Commander, BG Eric Folkestad with Admiral Burke at the Sarajevo airport.

 Photo: NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

During the visit, Admiral Burke is meeting with NATO HQ Sarajevo Commander, BG Eric Folkestad, AFBiH CHOD Lt Gen Senad Mašović, US Ambassador to BiH Eric Nelson and Hungarian Ambassador to BiH Krisztián Pósa.

Admiral Bruke met with NATO HQ Sarajevo Commander, BG Eric Folkestad, AFBiH CHOD Lt Gen Senad Mašović, US Ambassador to BiH Eric Nelson and Hungarian Ambassador to BiH Krisztián Pósa.

Photo: NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

"Stability and security of the Western Balkans is important for NATO and for peace and stability in Europe. That is why I came here to get a better sense of the region. It’s important that we always look to how to continue to strengthen our partnership, our well-established cooperation through NATO’s ongoing support to military reforms and capability building and with joint efforts to ensure a peaceful and safe environment for all, which is a prerequisite for prosperity. Working together is something that improves us all, makes us better, stronger and more prepared to face the ever-changing and increasingly complex security challenges of today. We face the same security challenges in our shared Euro-Atlantic region, and dialogue and cooperation are important to address them effectively.”

said Admiral Burke.