Ivanić with BiH soldiers in Afghanistan

Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Mladen Ivanić attended the marking of the BiH Armed Forces Day at the Bagram military base in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Chairman Ivanić inspected the unit of the BiH Armed Forces engaged in the peace support operation "Resolute Support" in Afghanistan. He congratulated the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers on the BiH Armed Forces Day and thanked them for their strong role in preserving peace in Afghanistan, Patria reports.

"The manner and responsibility with which you operate testify to a high level of professional preparedness. All of this shows that you are true ambassadors of your country," Ivanić said in his address, informing the members of the BiH Armed Forces that the Presidency of BiH has agreed on the "Defence Review" document, which should lead to better equipment for the Armed Forces of BiH, as well as a better standard for its members.

The members of the BiH Armed Forces were also greeted by the Deputy Minister of Defence of BiH Sead Jusić and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, Lieutenant General Anto Jeleč.

Representatives of the armies of countries participating in the "Resolute Support" operation in Afghanistan attended the ceremony marking the BiH Armed Forces Day.

The commander of the Bagram military base, Major General John Thompson (USA), also spoke at the ceremony, expressing gratitude to the members of the BiH Armed Forces and highlighting their high professionalism and responsibility in their work.

There are 55 members of the BiH Armed Forces contingent present in the peace support operation "Resolute Support" in Afghanistan. At the Bagram military base, there are 3 officers, 10 non-commissioned officers, and 32 soldiers, including 3 women, and 10 members (8 officers and two non-commissioned officers) at the Mazar Sharif base in northern Afghanistan.

As part of the visit, Chairman Ivanić and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, Lieutenant General Anto Jeleč, previously met in Kabul with the commander of the "Resolute Support" mission, General John Nicolson.
General Nicolson informed Ivanić and Lieutenant General Jeleč about the strengthening of the Afghan armed forces fighting for the stabilization of the situation in their country. He thanked BiH for its participation in the peace support operation in Afghanistan, emphasizing that BiH is thus sending a positive message.

Chairman Ivanić and the BiH delegation also met with Major General John Thompson, commander of the Bagram military base within which the BiH Armed Forces unit operates, who highlighted the exceptional professionalism of our unit. Major General Thompson said that the members of the Armed Forces of BiH, in addition to integrating well, have also greatly assisted soldiers from other countries, for which they owe them great gratitude.

The BiH delegation, which is visiting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, includes, in addition to the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Mladen Ivanić, the Deputy Minister of Defence of BiH Sead Jusić, advisor to the Croatian member of the Presidency of BiH Igor Planinić, advisor to the Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH Selmo Cikotić, advisor to the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Zoran Đerić, and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, Lieutenant General Anto Jeleč.