A delegation from the NATO Headquarters in Brussels visited Bosnia This week in order to conduct a joint assessment with BiH institutions of the progress that the country has made within the framework of participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) program.

The PfP program is designed to help preserve security, stability and prosperity for the citizens of all allied and partner countries through enhanced dialogue and cooperation. Within the framework of the PfP program, countries, such as BiH, identify their priorities, goals and areas in which they need the help of the Alliance.

The result is a customized, tailor-made support package that helps BiH ensure civilian democratic control and oversight of the Armed Forces, effective management of the budget, developing capabilities that benefit citizens, manage civilian emergencies, crises and disasters, including water rescue, and rescue by air, developing fire fighting capacities, as well as the developing Armed Forces that work together and according to the highest international standards.

This visit followed only a few days after the NATO allies agreed on a significant expansion of support to BiH at the Madrid summit.

Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, referred to this greater support offered and praised the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH for their achievements so far.

“It has been 15 years since Bosnia and Herzegovina entered our Partnership for Peace program. At the summit in Madrid last week, BiH was given more attention than ever before and support was offered throughout the Alliance. In a little more than two months, the largest unit of BiH will complete the NATO evaluation process. These achievements underline the strong commitment of both parties in this partnership – both the Alliance and BiH – for reforms and modernization. Your efforts in this area will enable the security, stability and prosperity of BiH and all its citizens in the future”, McGaha stated.