News in English     | 03.02.2020. 19:24 |

Podžić: MoD BiH has officially received the 'Reform Program' document

FENA Muamer Selimbegovic

SARAJEVO, February 3 (FENA) - Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sifet Podžić said on Monday in an interview with FENA that the implementation of the guidelines contained in the BiH Defense Review document, adopted by the BiH Presidency in 2016, which envisages modernization and the new structuring of the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH), will be at the top of his priorities during his term in office.

Author: Muamer Selimbegović

Referring to this specific matter, Podžić explains that the Ministry of Defense has formally received the Reform Program document from the BiH Presidency, a document that, among other things, enables implementation of the tasks from the Defense Review, a document that involves investing in the modernization of the AF BiH of about 500 million KM over a ten year period.

He believes that the operationalization of the relevant solutions should 'put an end to speculation and different interpretations regarding the Reform Program document and maximize engagement on the implementation of tasks which, apart from defense engagement, implies full engagement of all other relevant institutions in BiH - from the departmental ministries, agencies and entity governments to the BiH Presidency.

Referring to the benefits that such an approach brings (implementation of the Reform Program), Podžić places these activities in the context of developing a better overall climate in society and conditions that are equally important for all BiH citizens, which are substantially compatible with BiH's European path, and which can ultimately contribute to retaining young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The European Union and NATO have strategic agreements on cooperation and in this context, it is clear that these are tasks that we must accomplish in BiH, regardless of further dynamic and priorities,” Podžić said, stating that the situation in this regard is quite clear and "that we have to get down to business", following the activation of the MAP for BiH on December 5, 2018, and the adoption of the Reform Program, which was sent to Brussels in late 2019.

He specifies that, in accordance with the Reform Program, the BiH Ministry of Defense has 72 activities that need to be implemented independently, as well as 12 activities in which it cooperates with other ministries, mostly with the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“A mitigating circumstance lies in the fact that in 2016, the BiH Presidency adopted the Defense Review and the accompanying document 'The AF BiH Modernization Plan for the period 2017-2027', and that the MoD and the AF BiH, meanwhile, were heavily engaged in that plan and that we already have quite a number of completed tasks,” Podžić explained, emphasizing that it is necessary to persevere in this regard.

All this, he said, implies an increase in the defense budget, which is also a top priority, "because the current level of financing is below one percent of GDP compared to about two percent, which is in line with the established standards."

In terms of rationalization, the newly appointed BiH Minister of Defense is in favor of intensifying the resolution of the issue of non-prospective military assets, as well as surplus weapons and ammunition.

At the same time, and in the context of the mission and role of the AF BiH, he emphasizes the importance of engaging in the training of AF BiH officers in peacekeeping missions, as well as in the process of demining and assisting civilian structures in the field of civilian-military cooperation, all in accordance with the obligations of the Reform Program document.

Podžić said that the best resource in the defense sector lies in our professional soldiers, trained in accordance with NATO standards, who, due to their poor status, often leave the AF BiH, stating that, according to available data, about 450 AF personnel left their ranks in 2019.

He announced that he would insist on increasing salaries for soldiers, NCOs and officers in this regard, recalling the legislative initiatives and procedures currently in force in that regard and the arrangements that will be implemented with respect to their training in cooperation with partner countries, with the aim of achieving full interoperability with NATO standards.

The BiH Minister of Defense highlighted the importance of support for the BiH defense sector through donations from partner countries, and above all NATO member states - the United States, Turkey, the United Kingdom…, expressing appreciation to those partner countries, including the support they provide bilaterally.

Podžić concluded the interview with FENA by reminding that 76 members of the Armed Forces of BiH are currently engaged in the three types of missions and that activities in this area would continue, "so that our soldiers, as they truly are, remain the best ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

 

(FENA) S. R.

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