9 Oct. 2006

Defence reform in Bosnia-Herzegovina on track News 3/10/06 - NATO North Atlantic Council Meeting with Political and Security Committee of the European Union Background NATO in the Balkans NATO-EU: A strategic partnership Multimedia Press point with the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr. Javier Solana and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling (.MP3/5985kb) Defence reform, NATO’s main task in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is proceeding apace, according to a joint meeting of the North Atlantic Council and the Political and Security Committee of the European Union. The successful outcome of the 1 October 2006 elections provided an opportunity for both the Alliance and the European Union to appraise progress in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Very successful” “On the whole, we can say that a lot of progress has been reached in the framework of defence reform,” said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Defence reform in Bosnia-Herzegovina is supported by consultations and joint activities between NATO and the government. A trust fund project, designed to provide assistance to redundant military and civilian personnel, was launched in June 2006 to provide additional support to defence reform efforts. Euro-Atlantic integration While issues remain, most notably related to constitutional reform and police reform, all parties agreed that the elections are a positive development that will contribute to the integration of Bosnia-Herzegovina into the Euro-Atlantic community. “It is very clear that we have a common stand,” said Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling, European Union High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, “to see how we could make progress in Euro-Atlantic integration in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future.” Bosnia-Herzegovina is aspiring to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace Programme. NATO-EU cooperation: “An example” Mr. De Hoop Scheffer also commended cooperation between NATO and the European Union. “As far as NATO’s responsibility goes, EU-NATO cooperation on the ground is very good,” he said, “It is an example.” NATO-led peace-keeping forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina for nearly a decade. The mission was handed over to the European Union in December 2004. Today, the Alliance maintains a headquarters in Sarajevo to assist the government in its defence reform activities, as well as for counter-terrorism, and intelligence-gathering purposes.