Strong Support of Slovenia for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Euro-Atlantic Integration Process

(Patria) - Minister of Defense of BiH Sifet Podžić and associates spoke with the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to BiH Zorica Bukinac. The meeting, which was also attended by the Slovenian military attaché in BiH, Brigadier Žarko Henigman, discussed cooperation between BiH and the Republic of Slovenia in the field of defense, the process of Euro-Atlantic integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and opinions were exchanged on other current issues of importance for mutual cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Minister Podžić thanked for the support that the Republic of Slovenia provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of defense, in the process of Euro-Atlantic integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for providing assistance both through bilateral defense cooperation and through the participation of members of the Slovenian Armed Forces in the EUFOR mission and in the NATO headquarters in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "All this," as Minister Podžić emphasized, "leads to the strengthening of operational capacities and capabilities of the Ministry of Defense of BiH and the Armed Forces of BiH on BiH's path towards Euro-Atlantic integration." He particularly emphasized the assistance of the Republic of Slovenia in the care of discharged members of the BiH Armed Forces in the period 2010-2012 and the establishment of the "Perspektiva" program, where Slovenia was one of the leading countries, as well as cooperation in the field of humanitarian demining.

Minister Podžić also listed some of the priorities of the Ministry of Defense of BiH in the coming period, among which he especially highlighted the importance of financing the activities of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH this year, and the implementation of the Defense Review document and the Modernization Plan, which is expected after the adoption of the "Reform Program" document sent to NATO headquarters in Brussels. "There," emphasized Minister Podžić, "a signal from NATO is expected to start activities."

Also, among the priorities for action in the coming period, Minister Podžić emphasized the importance of improving the status of members of the Armed Forces of BiH. Ambassador Zorica Bukinac, in conclusion, expressed the full support of the Republic of Slovenia, both through bilateral cooperation and through the institutions of NATO and the European Union, for the further implementation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's activities in the Euro-Atlantic integration process.