Podgorica, 3 January 2022 (MIA) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday has called on Western Balkan leaders to demonstrate commitment to reforms and reconciliation. In today’s interview with Pobjeda daily, Stoltenberg says that rising tensions in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as aggressive rhetoric has stalled reforms alongside the presence of foreign actors working to undermine progress. In the interview with the Montenegrin daily, the NATO head referred to the situation in Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to him, Montenegro is a dedicated partner and the country can always count on NATO support. Stoltenberg said he is in “regular contact” with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, adding NATO fully respects Belgrade’s policy of neutrality. The Alliance, he stressed, is committed to building strong partnership with Serbia. The NATO chief warned that any attempt to weaken state institutions will threaten security in BiH and will badly affect its economy and regional stability. We, he said, are fully committed to continue to support all efforts to improve reforms and ensure effective functioning of all state institutions. “We call on the political leaders to work constructively and show political will for the benefit of everyone in BiH to improve its Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” Stoltenberg stated, also calling on Russia to play a constructive role in the Western Balkans.