Large NATO exercise for the first time in BiH: Mile Međed refused participation of RS Civil Protection

At the end of September this year in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a field exercise of NATO is planned to be held in the Tuzla area, in cooperation with the Ministry of Security of BiH, under the name “Bosnia and Herzegovina 2017“, writes Patria.

Over 30 countries will participate, with 850 officials, and it is planned, as pointed out by the Minister of Security Dragan Mektić, that the exercise be held in the Federation, Brčko District, and RS.

-This is not a military exercise, but a response to natural disasters that could befall BiH, as well as other European countries. However, it is interesting that Mile Međed, director of the Republican Administration of Civil Protection of RS, refused to have a part of the exercise held on the territory of RS, said Mektić.

When asked if it is problematic that NATO is participating in the organization, Mektić said that he does not know their motives, but that it would be good for RS to participate in the organization and holding of this exercise, as it is not a military exercise but an exercise dealing with the security of all citizens.

-I don't know what their motive is for such a decision, but I received an act signed by Mile Međed, and in which there is no explanation as to why they decided on this step, Mektić pointed out.

NATO said that 26 countries and nine different bodies will hold meetings to plan the exercise.

-You might be wondering why NATO, as a military alliance, is organizing such an exercise, but the answer is simple - NATO exists to protect people, and this exercise, the 17th in a row, and the first for which BiH is the host, certainly does that. With this, you have shown partnership with NATO in action. I owe great gratitude to General Wilzz for her selfless help in organizing such an exercise, said Gunter Bretschneider, Head of the NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre.