Podžić and deputies discussed the NATO 'Reform Programme' with the US military attaché in BiH

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - BiH Minister of Defence Sifet Podžić and his deputies Mirko Okolić and Mijo Krešić received representatives of the US Embassy in BiH, led by military attaché Brigadier Michael
Tarquinto. Bilateral defence cooperation and reform activities in the BiH Ministry of Defence were discussed.

Interoperability of the BiH Armed Forces capacities, the modernization process of the BiH Armed Forces, and plans for the next period through various cooperation programmes with the US were also discussed.

Minister Podžić emphasized the importance of the cooperation that the MoD and AF BiH have with the US, as the most significant strategic partner and the largest donor to the Armed Forces of BiH. He also stressed the commitment to fulfilling and implementing the tasks from the "Reform Programme" document, regardless of the situation with the COVID 19 pandemic and limited budgetary resources.

Deputy Ministers Mirko Okolić and Mijo Krešić highlighted the significance and role that the US has in the processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the assistance it provides to the Armed Forces of BiH.

The interlocutors also exchanged information related to the "Reform Programme" document and the procedure for sending this document to NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Brigadier Michael Tarquinto reiterated the US Government's commitment to continue assisting reform processes in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH in the coming period.