High Representative Christian Schmidt extended his congratulations to the BiH Ministry of Defense and members of the BiH Armed Forces, on Thursday, on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the creation of the BiH AF.

“This momentous occasion serves to commemorate BiH's remarkable journey from a challenging post-war phase to becoming a stable and peaceful country on its path towards a prosperous future in the Euro-Atlantic family,” he said.

Schmidt noted that the BiH Armed Forces stand as one of the most successful examples of domestically-driven reforms.

“Their evolution into a professional, capable, and reliable force speaks volumes about their dedication and commitment. Members of the BiH AF have repeatedly proven themselves in international peacekeeping missions and military exercises, as well as disaster relief efforts in BiH and abroad,” the High Representative said in a statement.

He concluded by saying that the BiH AF are a symbol of unity, cooperation, and a shared effort towards a common future in Bosnia and Herzegovina and needs sustainable funding.