Komšić: The Armed Forces of BiH will exist for a long time above any politics or individual

(Patria) - The Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH, Željko Komšić, at the central ceremony marking the 16th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized that 16 years ago, the path to establishing our joint, professional, Bosnian-Herzegovinian army began.

"Our goal was for our country to have armed forces formed on the principles on which the armed forces of NATO member states are based. Principles according to which it is not important what faith a soldier is, which ethnic group he belongs to, or whether he differs in any other way from his comrades. Principles according to which only two things matter: how capable the soldier is, and whether he is loyal to our Armed Forces. After 16 years, my assessment is that we have been much more successful than some hoped or expected. After 16 years, we have a professional army that meets high standards, is ready to respond to many challenges, and of which all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud.

There are many examples that testify to the success of the Armed Forces, and much could be said about it, but perhaps it is enough to mention only the military exercises in which our units participated this year, and in which they demonstrated enviable readiness. I did not attend some exercises, such as the EUFOR exercise 'Quick Response', or the exercise for SEL-2 evaluation, and even this last one you conducted in Rajlovac, but I received reports. And that the reports speaking of the high professionalism of our army are accurate, I was able to see for myself when I attended the exercise 'Quick Response 21' on Manjača in May this year. That exercise, conducted together with the armed forces of the United States, was proof of your work and effort. Proof of your preparedness and dedication.

For all the exercises organized this year, the reactions of experts, especially from the armed forces of NATO member states, are the same: that our Armed Forces show high readiness and interoperability with the army of the United States of America and the armed forces of European countries. I congratulate you on that. Your successes, however, are not only military, because your actions allow us to progress on the political front as well. Your results drive a process concerning the fulfillment of standards that will lead us into the NATO alliance. And those standards also concern other spheres of our social life. Those standards are a guarantee that we will have a freer and more equitable society, that we will have transparent institutions and more justice in society. These are the standards we strive for, which are demanded of us by both the European Union and NATO, and which we will hardly fulfill without your continuous work and commitment.

Although you have done your job, responsibly fulfilled your obligations, in recent months some individuals have questioned the existence of the Armed Forces. There is no need to waste words explaining how irresponsible these announcements are. Announcements dangerous for the security of the entire country and all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Publicly questioning the existence of our military forces, especially from the position of a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the institution that is the supreme commander of our Armed Forces, is a very serious threat to peace and security in our country.

Your best response to such destabilizing statements is to continue diligently doing your job as you have done before. To proudly wear your uniform, fulfill your tasks, and responsibly represent the Armed Forces. The foundations of equality, equity, and capability on which the Armed Forces were built, and the professionalism you have shown so far, are a guarantee that the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina will exist for a long time, that they will be above any politics or individual, and that they will continue to serve as an example of what institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are possible. That you will be an example of what a state is possible. Thank you for serving our country. Good luck!" Komšić said in his address.