Pendeš led BiH delegation at NATO ministerial meeting in Resolute Support mission format

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Marina Pendeš today led the delegation of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of BiH at a NATO ministerial meeting in the "Resolute Support" format, in Brussels.

The meeting was attended by defence ministers of NATO member states and partner countries whose members participate in the peace support mission in Afghanistan. The political and military situation in Afghanistan was discussed, as well as the challenges they may face in further execution of this mission.

In addition to Minister Pendeš, the delegation of the MoD and AF BiH included Assistant Minister of Defence for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović, Head of the BiH Military Mission to NATO Brigadier Jasmin Čajić, Deputy Head of the BiH Military Mission to NATO Brigadier Velibor Purković, and Advisor to the Minister of Defence Jakov Križanović.

Minister Pendeš, in her address, emphasized BiH's commitment to supporting peace-building and long-term stability in Afghanistan, and that members of the Armed Forces of BiH will continue to participate in the "Resolute Support" mission. She specifically emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina, through its participation in stability projection missions and continuous progress in all other areas, demonstrates a firm commitment to continuing the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Pendeš met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Spain Margarita Robles, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia Damir Krstičević, Minister of Defence of Hungary Tibor Benkő, and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Italy Elisabetta Trento.

As part of her visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Minister Pendeš also visited the BiH Mission to NATO, where she had a brief reception and meeting with the BiH Ambassador to NATO Almir Džuvo.

This was followed by a brief working meeting with members of the BiH Military Mission, during which Brigadier Čajić informed Minister Pendeš about the most important activities of the BiH Military Mission to NATO.