The United States of America strongly support BiH on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Moving towards NATO is a difficult path that should be crossed by fulfilling the assumed conditions and criteria, stated Michael Carpenter, Deputy Assistant to the Minister of Defense in charge of Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia and the Western Balkans while talking to the BiH journalists.
Carpenter said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a precious partner in the coalition that fights against the ISIL in Syria and Iraq.
“ISIL is a tumor that has metastases across the planet. That is why it is very important that the European countries fight against the departure of their citizens to the foreign battlefields and fight against them when they come back. The USA is glad that BiH adopted the law which prescribes sanctions for the departure of BiH citizens to foreign battlefields.
Certain progress is achieved, but a lot more can be done not only in BiH, but in the region as well. It is important that authorities in the countries in the region roll up their sleeves and work as a government in full capacity, as an authority for those issues. When I say government, then it means that not only the Ministry of Defense should be included, but other agencies as well, such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the inter-intelligence cooperation is also needed in order to prevent the fighters from going to foreign battlefields,” Carpenter said.
Since he visited Tirana, Belgrade, Skopje and Podgorica before coming to Sarajevo, Carpenter was asked if he could draw a parallel and say which country in the region has made the greatest progress on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.
“It is difficult to make comparisons now, because one country achieved greater progress in one part and the other country in another part. For example, similar progress was achieved by the countries of the region in terms of fight against terrorism. It is difficult to draw parallels between other areas.
What I can say is that what is crucial for all countries in the region is the rule of law, i.e. the judiciary, the strengthening of economy, fight against corruption and strengthening of state management.
If these things are missing, then the national security and state’s progress are undermined, Carpenter highlighted.
Carpenter stated several times that the key issue for BiH is the registration of military assets, which is a precondition for the activation of the Membership Action Plan.
(Source: nap.ba/photo: nap.ba)
