General Pavel: BiH is a valuable NATO partner in the Balkans

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The highest representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by BiH Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš and Chief of the Joint Staff of the AF BiH Lieutenant General Anto Jeleč, held a meeting with a high-level delegation of the NATO Military Committee, led by Chairman of the Military Committee General Petr Pavel.

This is the first time that the Military Committee, as the highest military body of NATO, has visited our country in this format and at this level. It comprises military leaders from all NATO member states, and the delegation that visited Bosnia and Herzegovina at the invitation of BiH Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš includes more than 30 generals and admirals from all NATO member countries.

The purpose of the visit was to learn about BiH's progress in the NATO integration process in the defence sector. During the meeting, held at the BiH Armed Forces Hall in Sarajevo, the guests were informed about the defence sector reform process, particularly about the process of fulfilling the requirements for activating the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for BiH in NATO, and the implementation plan for the Defence Review and modernization of the Armed Forces of BiH.

During the meeting, BiH Minister of Defence Marina Pendeš emphasized the firm positions, expressed through the documents of BiH's Security Policy, Defence Policy, Directions and Goals of Foreign Policy determined by the Presidency of BiH, and the Law on Defence of BiH, which recognize membership in NATO and the European Union as primary foreign policy goals. In this regard, Minister Pendeš emphasized, "immediate steps in fulfilling these strategic goals are the activation of the Membership Action Plan in NATO and obtaining candidate status for membership in the EU."

Furthermore, the NATO Military Committee delegation was informed about the progress achieved in BiH and the concrete results regarding the registration of military locations and the implementation of the Defence Review, as well as the mission and tasks of the Armed Forces of BiH, where particular importance is given to the contribution of the Armed Forces in international peace and security support missions, engagement in operations to assist civilian authorities in saving lives and property, demining operations, international exercises, and cooperation and partnership with NATO, as well as bilateral, regional, and broader international defence and security cooperation projects.

The results in each of these areas, as Minister Pendeš pointed out, "strengthen our self-confidence, but also contribute to the relevance of the Armed Forces of BiH within the institutions of BiH and our international credibility."

General Pavel expressed satisfaction with the visit and the opportunity to see firsthand the progress that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made in the defence sector, as well as the contribution that Bosnia and Herzegovina is making through the Peace Support Mission in Afghanistan. General Pavel also stated that NATO sees the future of the region in Euro-Atlantic cooperation and integration "for those who want it."

- NATO remains fully committed to the stability and security of the Western Balkans. NATO has a strategic interest in the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans, and we strongly encourage political leaders in the Western Balkans to act in accordance with their responsibilities and continue the path of dialogue and reconciliation. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a valuable NATO partner in the Western Balkans, and we count on Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue to be committed to maintaining peace and stability," General Pavel told the media after the meeting.