Mike Pompeo called on the BiH Presidency to adopt the National Plan for NATO

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo sent a letter to the BiH Presidency, inviting them to accept the Annual National Program for BiH, which the NATO alliance enabled with a recent decision, BHRT reported.

The Patria agency was told at the Presidency that the letter from the US Secretary has not yet arrived, but they expect it on Wednesday.

 In the letter to the Presidency, Pompeo acknowledges the Commission for NATO Integration which drafted the Annual National Plan and calls on the authorities to forward it to Brussels as soon as possible.

“This step will not predetermine future NATO membership, but it will have a positive impact on the transformation and modernization of the Armed Forces. This step will also improve security in BiH and strengthen the reform process which is already part of the efforts for BiH to obtain candidate status in negotiations with the European Union. Therefore, I invite you to continue the activities undertaken by previous BiH authorities and take advantage of the process of adopting the Annual National Plan.”

Pompeo says that BiH's desire to move closer to the Alliance is clearly emphasized in the current Foreign Policy Strategy of BiH and that he understands there is concern within the Presidency that a greater degree of cooperation with the NATO alliance could affect relations with neighboring countries.

He points out that Serbia, although not a NATO member, nor has it expressed a desire to become one, has significant cooperation with the Alliance, including joint exercises aimed at increasing the level of interoperability between the Serbian army and NATO members, and that there is no reason why BiH should not establish similar close ties with NATO.

Pompeo concludes by adding that BiH is of strategic importance for regional stability and that, precisely because of this, the United States of America desires and values a greater degree of cooperation with BiH, and emphasizes that now is the right time to submit the Annual National Plan to the NATO alliance.

Pompeo said that BiH should be proud of the recognition received by the soldiers of the BiH Armed Forces who, together with NATO units, participate in the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.