Vilić and Petty: Improving the Security Sector in BiH a Priority

Commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, Brigadier General Christopher J. Petty, paid a working visit today to the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, where he met with the Director of the Directorate, Mirsad Vilić, and his deputy, Milo Jurić.

Vilić informed the guests about the organizational structure and legal responsibilities: coordination, communication, and cooperation between police bodies, the application of the best European and other international practices concerning police matters in BiH, international operational police cooperation, and the security of VIP persons and facilities, as well as foreign delegations during their stay in BiH, and the daily consolidation and analysis of security information relevant to BiH.

Vilić highlighted the communication and cooperation that the Directorate achieves through Interpol's secure I-24/7 information system and activities carried out in cooperation with Europol, which significantly contribute to the exchange of information between international institutions and domestic law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, the Directorate closely cooperates with the Ministry of Security of BiH in order to coordinate the implementation of activities of common importance for BiH police agencies in their daily work and tasks within their jurisdiction. Planned activities were also presented, including the organization of seminars and training in various fields involving members of other institutions, all with the aim of improving the quality of work of police officers in BiH.

Brigadier General Petty explained the role of the NATO Headquarters in BiH, which is, among other things, focused on the development and improvement of the security sector in BiH. He also expressed hope that BiH will soon meet the conditions for joining the NATO alliance.