Admiral Foggo: Adopt the Annual National Plan

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A delegation from the NATO Joint Force Command Naples, led by Admiral James Foggo, Commander of the Joint Force Command, held a meeting with the BiH Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš and the highest representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH. Minister Pendeš thanked the Admiral for confirming the positive friendly partnership stance with his visit. She emphasized that the topic of discussion was NATO's readiness to help BiH.

"We exchanged certain narratives about the Euro-Atlantic path. You know that most parties want NATO, but some do not, so we also discussed such a partnership," Pendeš said.

Admiral James Foggo said that he was in Sarajevo a few months ago and that BiH plays a key role in peace and stability in the Western Balkans. 

"My visit today speaks to the importance of BiH and I want to thank you on behalf of NATO for BiH's contribution to collective security and stability. NATO and BiH began working together in 2005, and we expanded our cooperation in 2006 when BiH joined the Partnership for Peace, and that partnership has continued to develop over the past 13 years. It is important to maintain that momentum and move forward. I encourage BiH to continue improving the BiH Armed Forces. This includes continuing contributions to peacekeeping missions around the world. Modern Armed Forces depend on resources, and in return, they provide security to citizens and prosperity."

Admiral Foggo reminded that almost six months have passed since NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg asked BiH to submit its national annual program. 

"This is actually a plan on how to professionalize the army. I support the annual national program and I want you to submit it, as Secretary Stoltenberg requested, and it will bring you peace and stability," Foggo conveyed.

Minister Pendeš, responding to the question of whether she could submit the Annual National Program (ANP), said that institutional decisions must be made for that.

Speaking about the Republika Srpska's advocacy for military neutrality, Foggo said that in his opinion, "RS has changed its mind regarding NATO". 

"Previously, they were for the MAP and NATO. I was the commander of an exercise with 50,000 NATO forces in Norway, and the operation required defense and deterrence. I don't know why you wouldn't be a member of such an organization."

He stressed that NATO does not conduct offensive operations. Admiral Foggo emphasized that he believes security and stability are in everyone's interest. 

"NATO remains fully committed to supporting BiH, including within BiH through the daily work of the NATO HQ Sarajevo. Brigadier General Bissell and her team are always ready to provide expert assistance and advice to the BiH Ministry of Defence and BiH Armed Forces, as well as to institutions engaged in various activities that strengthen the NATO-BiH partnership."

Admiral Foggo almost began and ended his speech and answers to journalists' questions with: "Adopt the annual national plan and modernize the BiH Armed Forces."  

He said that NATO is in the interest of everyone who is for the security of the country and its borders, and that this is very important for the economic prosperity of BiH.