General Bissell for NAP: BiH has already seen and will continue to benefit from NATO integration

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - NATO fully supports Bosnia and Herzegovina's right to determine its own future. The Alliance will continue to provide support to partner institutions throughout the region, highlighting the valuable progress in terms of dialogue and practical cooperation, stated the Commander of NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Marti J. Bissell, for the Patria agency.

Authorities from Republika Srpska, an entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, strongly oppose Bosnia and Herzegovina's entry into NATO, blocking the submission of the Annual National Programme (ANP) to NATO, which was prepared by Bosnia and Herzegovina. The opposition in BiH, primarily the left-wing parties SDP and DF, have accused Milorad Dodik, the leader of SNSD, of being joined by the president of HDZ BiH, Dragan Čović, in his efforts to stop BiH on its path to NATO, while that party rejects such accusations.

Member of the Presidency of BiH Željko Komšić refused to give consent to the appointment of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina until the country submits the ANP to NATO.

General Bissell emphasizes that NATO fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, "and is ready to accept the submission of BiH's first Annual State Programme." However, she adds, it is up to Bosnia and Herzegovina whether to accept this offer.

"NATO welcomes the progress BiH has made in registering prospective immovable military property in the name of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the right of use by the Ministry of Defence of BiH. It is important to continue this positive momentum, and it is up to BiH to continue with reforms to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations," says Bissell.

"Just to clarify, the Annual State Programme is just the next step in providing assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina to make improvements in many ways, including more efficient and cost-effective defence and security capabilities, improving response to natural disasters, increasing interoperability with other NATO partners, and increasing contributions to overall regional security," adds General Bissell.  

She points out that NATO welcomes all aspirations to improve and ensure the stability and prosperity of all residents of the Western Balkans. As a member of the NATO programme Partnership for Peace since 2006, she reminds, Bosnia and Herzegovina has already seen and will continue to see the benefits of NATO integration, by working together with and learning from those who share the same values.

"Those benefits are: a.) The Armed Forces of BiH are trained according to standards that will make them capable of conducting operations side-by-side with NATO and partner forces, including all BiH's neighbouring countries, b.) NATO countries are helping BiH in responding to natural disasters, as was the case with the floods in 2014, c.) BiH receives funds from NATO to improve its disaster response planning capabilities, d.) BiH has also seen benefits by hosting a major NATO disaster response exercise, benefits in terms of training and experience, as well as economic benefits, e.) BiH participates in NATO-led collective security operations as an equal and respected partner," concluded General Bissell.