DAYTON, Ohio — A gathering in Dayton, Ohio, brought together representatives from Balkan nations who benefited from the Dayton Peace Accords alongside U.S. officials to reaffirm the crucial role of NATO in sustaining global peace. Taking place during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the forum highlighted the military alliance’s importance.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, addressed those assembled at the University of Dayton, emphasizing the need for alliances in the face of global challenges, particularly for a leading superpower like the United States. Whitaker underscored the significance of NATO, highlighting its role in fortifying ties with allies to achieve lasting peace, while also mentioning U.S. calls for increased military spending by European allies.
Established in 1949 to protect against Soviet threats, NATO today includes 32 member nations. U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen and Neal Dunn took part in a panel discussing “Why NATO Matters to Everyday Americans,” defending the military alliance’s peacetime significance. They stressed that supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression is vital for European stability and serves as a deterrent against potential threats from countries like China.
“NATO is a blessing for peace, and it is the best insurance for peace,” Dunn stated. Earlier, representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia reflected on the enduring impact of the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords, highlighting their role in bringing stability to the region. The accords, negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, were pivotal in ending conflict in the Balkans, thanks to decisive U.S. and NATO interventions.
Elmedin Konakovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s foreign affairs minister, shared his wartime experiences and stressed the accords’ immense importance. He commented on ongoing global conflicts, pointing to peace possibilities, and remarked on current negotiations with former adversaries as a better alternative to war despite their complexities.
Notable figures from the Bosnian war era were present, including former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark. Hutchison, a previous U.S. ambassador to NATO, led discussions, drawing on past experiences in Sarajevo to illustrate the city’s transformation following the conflict.
The five-day anniversary commemoration is set to conclude with a plenary session, gathering around 300 parliamentarians and other invitees. Spearheaded by U.S. Representative Mike Turner, once Dayton’s mayor during the accords’ negotiation, this event emphasizes ongoing efforts to integrate Bosnia and Herzegovina into NATO as the nation continues to tackle lingering issues from the 1995 framework.