Skopje, 8 September 2023 (MIA) - Even if it is only rhetoric, the idea of great states is not wise because it makes people nervous, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Rob Bauer, tells MIA.

Bauer was quizzed about the ideas of great states expressed by high-ranking public office holders in the Western Balkans and if they represent a real threat for the region's stability.

"Even if it is only rhetoric, I don’t think it is wise because it makes people nervous, and in itself it produces instability because people get nervous and people are becoming insecure because they hear all these different stories. What is important for our Alliance is that we support a number of things. One is the idea of sovereignty, the idea of internationally recognized borders, the idea that a nation is responsible and able to think about its own future and its own destiny, and of course the rule of law. Those are the four things that are crucial in our Alliance," says Bauer.

According to him, there can be arguments and even disputes among NATO members, but they are solved because states adhere to those four important rules and values.

"If other nations are not doing that, and we are involved in those nations through operations for example, outside our area of responsibility, then of course it is up to the nations where we are to basically assist and help in restoring that stability. First and foremost, it is not up to anyone else than the nations themselves primarily to solve these issues and to make sure that they live in peace, together. Because that is in the interest most of the time of the citizens in those nations," says Bauer in the MIA interview that will be published in full on Saturday.

Photo: MIA