Podžić with Nelson: Deepen cooperation and partnership with the US

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Defence of BiH Sifet Podžić, accompanied by associates, received the Ambassador of the United States of America to BiH H.E. Eric G. Nelson on January 22, 2020.
The meeting discussed bilateral defence cooperation, with Minister Podžić emphasizing the support the US provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Armed Forces of BiH through various programs and forms of cooperation.

Minister Podžić specifically highlighted US assistance through the Army-to-Army program, Bosnia and Herzegovina's state partnership with Maryland and cooperation with the Maryland National Guard, support through the IMET program and training of AF BiH officers, and the US Government's support for the modernization of the AF BiH using financial resources from the FMF program.

He particularly emphasized the significance of signing the contract for the procurement of four helicopters with a total value of over 38,500,000 US dollars, with the largest portion of funds secured by the US Government from American assistance programs for friendly countries, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Foreign Military Funds (FMF). Furthermore, Minister Podžić pointed out the exceptionally good cooperation with the US Embassy in BiH and the Defence Attaché Office of the US Embassy.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's NATO path was also discussed, with Minister Podžić emphasizing the commitment that the Ministry of Defence of BiH will establish mechanisms for the implementation of the Reform Program document and that it will "contribute to its realization as soon and as well as possible."

Among other things, the results of the participation of AF BiH members in peacekeeping operations worldwide were presented, and the importance of adopting a budget that will enable the modernization and improvement of the capacities and capabilities of the AF BiH was highlighted. In this regard, the significance of implementing the Defence Review document and the AF BiH Modernization Plan was also mentioned.

Ambassador Nelson expressed strong support from the US Government and Embassy for the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH and for Bosnia and Herzegovina's further activities on its path to NATO membership and its partnership with the Alliance.

"There are many issues in which we can support you in implementing defence reform, and we will continue to work on that," Ambassador Nelson stated at the end of the meeting.