On Friday, April 10, 2026, H.E. Ms María Molina Álvarez de Toledo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Bosnia and Herzegovina, visited the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) and participated in the Shuttle Diplomacy Talks organized by the IUS Balkan Studies Center (BSC) in collaboration with the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) study program.
The Ambassador was warmly welcomed by the IUS delegation led by the Rector of IUS, Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, who expressed his pleasure at hosting such a distinguished guest and emphasized the importance of dialogue on contemporary international and regional issues within the academic environment. He also underlined the value of strengthening ties with diplomatic representatives and creating opportunities for students to engage directly with experienced policymakers and international actors.
The event focused on the topic “Security Challenges in the Balkans: Spain’s Role within NATO and EU Missions.” The session opened with a series of engaging questions posed by the Ambassador, encouraging active participation and interaction among attendees.
During her remarks, Ambassador Molina Álvarez de Toledo highlighted the importance of both the European Union and NATO as key actors in the Western Balkans. While acknowledging that these institutions may at times face internal disagreements, she emphasized that they remain strong and influential organizations. She also clarified the distinction between defence and security, explaining how the EU and NATO operate within these frameworks in the context of the Balkans.
Although not all Western Balkan countries are members of the European Union, the Ambassador underlined the important progress they have made toward EU integration, noting that many of them are already NATO members. She further elaborated on Spain’s contributions to the region, stressing its active role in various missions aimed at preserving peace and stability.
In her concluding remarks, Ambassador Molina Álvarez de Toledo reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to peace, both in the Balkans and globally, within the frameworks of the EU and NATO.
The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, making it a highly engaging and productive discussion for all participants.
