The members of the leadership of the Joint Committee for Defense and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a meeting with the Commissioner for Defense Affairs of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany

The Chairman of the Joint Committee for Defense and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jasmin Imamović, along with the Deputy Chairpersons of the Joint Committee, Marina Pendeš and Radovan Kovačević, held a meeting today with the Commissioner for Defense Affairs of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, Eva Högl, who is on an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH, Boško Šiljegović, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany to BiH, Bernhard Abels, and the Military Attaché of Germany to BiH, Colonel Franz Josef Nolte, it was expressed the satisfaction with the close cooperation that the parliaments of the two countries have in the field of democratic oversight of the armed forces, as well as gratitude to Germany for its long-standing support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in defense and security issues.

The significant role of the Commissioner for Defense Affairs of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany in establishing the institution of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina was emphasized, this institution has been successfully protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) for a full 15 years. In this regard, the quality cooperation between the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH and the Joint Committee for Defense and Security of BiH was highlighted and described as a successful story yielding results.

The members of the leadership of the Joint Committee for Defense and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina acquainted the distinguished guest with the responsibilities and work of the Joint Committee, emphasizing its special contribution to the transparent and lawful process of disposal of surplus weapons, ammunition, and land mines and explosive devices, addressing current issues in procurement processes, transparency in personnel management, enhancing the system of assistance to civilian populations during natural disasters and crises, and a more efficient military demining system, as well as various other matters such as field visits to AFBiH commands and units to gain an accurate picture of the situation on the ground.

It was also emphasized that the reform of the defense system is one of the best-implemented reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was assessed as stable from a security perspective. The support that EUFOR members receive in all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina was highlighted, as well as from all key political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Expressing satisfaction with the level of cooperation and exchange of experiences in the field of parliamentary oversight in the defense and security sector, the Commissioner for Defense Affairs of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany, Eva Högl, particularly praised the fact that the institution of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina has the full support of Bosnia and Herzegovina's institutions. She also emphasized the importance of preserving the independence of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner in decision-making and recommendations, which, as she stated, was also emphasized in a separate meeting she had with the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Boško Šiljegović.

Commissioner Högl expressed confidence that Germany will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina and its armed forces, and that inter-parliamentary cooperation in the field of oversight in defense and security will be even better and more substantive. In this regard, Commissioner Högl wished further successful work to the Joint Committee for Defense and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as success to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the process of European integration and negotiations for full membership in the European Union. (end)