While recognizing the characteristics of this context, Bosnia and Herzegovina has fully supported the instruments NATO has used throughout its ongoing mission aimed at achieving stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. We are ready to provide a military contribution to NATO efforts in order to train, advice and support development of the state security forces of Afghanistan by the time they will take over a full responsibility for the security of Afghanistan. We are ready to offer such support as long as there is a need for military resources and competencies which Bosnia and Herzegovina can place under the Alliance's disposal.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has supported the concept of the “Decisive Support“ Mission for Afghanistan. We understand that the moment of transition from the first to the second mission phase will be determined based on the status of the security situation on the ground and the level of readiness of the Afghan security forces to take over a full responsibility for their country's security. Bosnia and Herzegovina is determined, should there be a need for it, to offer NATO the same military contribution in the second phase, too, regardless of the envisaged structural reduction of the mission.

In addition to our contribution in terms of military resources, Bosnia and Herzegovina is willing to support the mission in Afghanistan by a symbolic participation proportionate to her capacity in numerous aspects of an ongoing comprehensive restoration of Afghanistan. In cooperation with allies and partners, we will also support financially the process of enhancing sustainability of the Afghan state security forces. We are determined to ensure a new donation of military equipment and ammunition for the Afghan state security service, in accordance with the Decision adopted by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as offer cooperation on issues of special interest for Afghanistan.

Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirms her interest to participate in planning and establishing a new, civilian mission in Afghanistan, after the “Decisive Support“ mission is completed.

On the basis of the information collected on the content and features of a long term partnership with Afghanistan, the needs of the future mission and economic potentials of our country, the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina will adopt necessary decisions in view of using resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina in development of a stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

Ladies and gentlemen!

This is also an opportunity for me to share with you a survey on preconditions which Bosnia and Herzegovina has to meet for MAP to be activated.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is decisive in her intention to continue the process of registering perspective military locations into land books. The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina obliges itself to complete, pursuant to the activation of MAP for BiH, the registration of all remaining perspective military locations within ANP.

We have achieved a considerable progress in view of “Defence Review“. Based on the major work carried out by the Ministry of Defence of BiH and the Armed Forces of BiH, the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina recently resolved all doubts and open issues within the documents concerned, and we now expect it to be completed successfully by end-November this year. The HQ of NATO in Sarajevo had an active role in creating this document.

Moreover, Bosnia and Herzegovina has had an active role in fighting all forms of radical extremism, whereas, within its capacities, BiH has supported the global coalition opposing the so-called ISIS. Last year we donated 600 tons of ammunition to the Government of Iraq. Last month, the Presidency of BiH approved of another donation amounting to the same quantity of ammunition for the Iraq Army.

We are grateful to the U.S. Government for the assistance in preparation of these donations.

From the moment of transformation from a beneficiary to provider of security, we have decided to make further steps towards enhancing regional and global security, as well as steps directed at enhancing our partnership with NATO, which, ultimately, leads to our full membership in the Alliance. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina extends congratulations to Montenegro for joining NATO. We see the membership of Montenegro as an additional factor of stability and cooperation in the region.

Finally, let me underline once again our satisfaction by the fact that this summit has confirmed the Alliance's “open door“ policy, which offers hope and opportunity for continued enlargement and strengthening of the Alliance of stability and cooperation. Thank you for your attention!