NATO foreign ministers approved on Wednesday the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a step forward in the country's relationship with the alliance, it was confirmed at the ministerial meeting in Brussels.

The ministers were set to discuss among other topics the situation in the Western Balkans at their two-day meeting, including the next steps in developing NATO's relationship with Bosnia, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced in a press conference earlier this week.

“I expect the ministers to endorse NATO's readiness to accept Bosnia's first national programme,” he said, adding it will be up to Bosnia's authorities whether they will seize the opportunity.

NATO agreed to launch the MAP for Bosnia in April 2010 and the country has been struggling to meet the necessary criteria, foremost to carry out the registration of military property, in order to get the green light for launching its first annual national programme, final step towards the MAP activation.

The MAP is a specially tailored programme that stipulates advising, assistance and practical support adjusted to the individual needs of the countries aspiring to join the alliance.