Stoltenberg: MAP activation when all military property is registered to the state

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg held a meeting with members of the BiH Presidency, and the media were addressed by the Chairman of the BiH Presidency Mladen Ivanić and Stoltenberg. Ivanić said they informed the guest about the political situation in BiH and the progress made in the defence sector, writes the Bosnian news agency Patria.

- Within the Presidency, there is a consensus to activate the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as soon as possible. This policy of agreement has existed for a long time from all political parties. By adopting the Defence Review, we want to make the BiH Armed Forces modern, contemporary and modernly equipped, which is our interest regardless of NATO membership. Our interest is to continue partnership and cooperation with NATO.

Ivanić said that the registration of military property is progressing slower than expected due to a lack of agreement on the concept and ownership relations that have roots in socialism.

- We are committed to continuing cooperation with NATO and the continuation of the peace mission in Afghanistan, where I was and saw how significant it is for BiH to participate in such operations.

In September 2017, a joint exercise with NATO will be held in Tuzla in case of natural disasters. Ivanić reiterated that BiH remains committed to the global fight against ISIL.

Stoltenberg said that NATO has been helping to guarantee peace for two decades and appreciates the partnership with BiH.

- You have the necessary instruments to progress towards the Alliance. NATO is ready to activate MAP when all immovable military property is registered to the state. The Defence Review is an important step forward and the implementation plan has been adopted.
I call on you to undertake even greater reforms so that all leaders reach difficult compromises and work in the interest of all citizens, as this will pave the way for your full membership in NATO - Stoltenberg said.

Answering questions about "NATO's ready troops that would be deployed in BiH in case of conflict," Stoltenberg said: 

- We have no intention or plans to deploy combat troops in BiH, that is not our plan. Rather, to provide support in reforms. We will sit down together with representatives of BiH. NATO has never forced any country to join the Alliance. It is not up to me or Brussels, but up to BiH. If it decides to move towards NATO, it is solely based on the expressed will of the sovereign government of BiH.

Mladen Ivanić said that current political leadership will not decide on NATO membership, but that good cooperation with NATO should be developed, the BiH Armed Forces improved, modernized and updated.

Stoltenberg said that NATO will do everything to calm tensions and avoid any escalation.

- The best way to avoid conflicts is to strengthen security institutions. We are here to calm tensions and avoid conflict.

Ivanić said that instability can only occur "thanks to us, but we are also the ones who can ensure true stability. The key responsibility lies with us."

Stoltenberg said that it is necessary to strengthen intelligence capacities and that democratic institutions fight against corruption.