BiH could abandon NATO membership and turn to the model Serbia has

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina could abandon the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) and turn to the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), the Patria news agency learns. 

This is one of the options being discussed by political parties in BiH that are to form a government after the October elections, several sources confirmed to Patria.

The Membership Action Plan (MAP), which BiH previously committed to by a decision of the Presidency, is a NATO program of advice, assistance and practical support tailored to the individual needs of countries wishing to join the NATO alliance, while IPAP has completely different characteristics. The Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) represents the most intensive form of bilateral cooperation between NATO and countries that are not members of this alliance, and have no aspirations to become one. Neighboring Serbia has signed an IPAP with the NATO alliance.

BiH also has a signed IPAP, but now there is talk of the possibility of repackaging it and adapting it to the way Serbia and NATO operate.

This cooperation mechanism was created in 2002 at the NATO summit in Prague, with the aim of establishing more comprehensive cooperation with partner countries, and making it as tailored as possible to the needs and interests of each partner.