Council of Ministers of BiH Amends Decision on Requesting International Assistance for Firefighting

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Council of Ministers of BiH unanimously adopted a Decision on Amending the Decision on Requesting International Assistance for Protection and Rescue in Firefighting, proposed by the Ministry of Security.

The amendment to the Decision requested international support in firefighting in the form of firefighting forces, resources, and firefighting aircraft from countries with which Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed agreements and memoranda of understanding on cooperation in protection and rescue, as well as aircraft through the procedures of the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism.

In this way, the Council of Ministers of BiH supplemented last week's decision by which it requested from the Republic of Croatia international assistance in the form of sending aircraft (water bombers) with crew to assist in firefighting in BiH. 

The request for broader international support in firefighting in BiH from land and air followed the escalation of fires in BiH, especially in the area of the municipality of Posušje - Blidinje National Park, and the area of Sutjeska Nature Park.

Fires in BiH are being extinguished from the air by helicopters of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Helicopter Service of the Republika Srpska, and a water bomber of the Croatian Air Force.

The Decision on Amending the Decision on Requesting International Assistance for Protection and Rescue in Firefighting will be published in the Official Gazette of BiH, and will remain in effect as long as the fire danger persists.