NATO welcomed the decision of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Council of Ministers regarding the Reform Programme, a NATO official told N1, stressing that this will help strengthen the country's cooperation with the alliance.

The state ministers endorsed on Wednesday the implementation of the Reform Programme for NATO and approved the formation of a commission in charge of cooperation with NATO.

The information was confirmed by Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic who said the Reform Programme would be forwarded to Brussels, to NATO HQ.

Speaking to N1, a NATO official said the Alliance was committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina with implementing reforms as it did throughout the years, “because Allies are committed to a stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Western Balkans more broadly.”

“NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina have a long-standing and mutually beneficial cooperation,” the official said, adding, however, that the “cooperation with NATO does not prejudge any potential future NATO membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

“We fully respect the country’s sovereignty and independence and we welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued contributions to our Euro-Atlantic security, including through our Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and the Afghan National Army Trust Fund. NATO maintains a presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, which performs a range of tasks, including support to reforms and capacity building within the BiH defence and security forces, structures and institutions, under the umbrella of NATO’s Partnership for Peace. We also maintain strong political dialogue with the BiH authorities.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina sent its first Reform Programme for NATO in December 2019, and the alliance confirmed its delivery a day later:

“NATO has supported reforms and helped build capabilities that benefit the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for many years, and we will continue to do so for the benefit of all citizens of the country.”