BOSNIA NEWS

SARAJEVO,Bosnia – Director of the Bosnian Directorate for European Integration Osman Topcagic, President of the FBiH Entity Association of Municipalities and Cities Ljubo Beslic, President of the RS Entity Association of Municipalities and Cities Dragomir Kezunovic and representative of the Dutch Organisation for Development Wilbert Schouten signed in Sarajevo a Memorandum of Understanding defining basic principles and areas of cooperation in the process of European integration between its signatories.

Director of the Directorate for European Integration Osman Topcagic said that this Memorandum opens a new phase in preparing Bosnia for the EU membership.

He said that a lot has been done so far on preparing institutions for the process of European integration and added that we are now entering a phase when local communities are also being involved in this process, as they will directly participate in the process of European integration, especially following the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

One of the objectives of the Memorandum, Topcagic said, is to strengthen mutual communication and the exchange of information between local communities in order to get prepared in the best possible way for the process of European integration. The Directorate will appoint a special contact person for cooperation with the municipalities and the Dutch Organisation for Development.

President of the FBiH Entity Association of Municipalities and Cities Ljubo Beslic said that the Memorandum represents a new shift in the process of European integration, especially for local self-governance units.

The first step is always the toughest and this is why this event today is so important for Bosnia, Beslic said.

Even though the EU sometimes seems distant from the local level, the large majority of EU directives is implemented at them level closest to the citizens, representative of the Dutch Organisation for Development Wilbert Schouten said.

Schouten said that one of the results of this Memorandum will be the development of a guide on European integration, i.e. on European directives on conducting daily affairs, for municipalities and cities in Bosnia.

SARAJEVO,Bosnia - Commander of Joint Forces Command HQ Naples and Commander of the US Navy for Europe Admiral Harry Ulrich said in Sarajevo that he is encouraged by progress Bosnia and its Armed Forces have achieved in the field of defence reform.

Admiral Ulrich delivered in Sarajevo a lecture to the Bosnian officials – graduates from the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies, a prestigious school based in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany).

Speaking to journalists, the senior NATO official underlined the importance of Bosnia’s determination and commitment to the road towards full NATO membership and underlined the readiness of the Alliance to fully support these efforts.

In this context Admiral Ulrich underlined the importance of Bosnia's accession to the Partnership for Peace and the commitment of the Bosnian leadership to implement obligations required by full membership in NATO, and which besides defence reforms also include progress in certain other areas.

He urged all those who can contribute to give their all and make “Bosnia a more strong, proud, multiethnic, democratic, capable and brave country integrated with international structures”.

Admiral Ulrich met with senior Bosnian civilian and military officials and discussed with them priorities and key steps in the implementation of reforms and challenges ahead of Bosnia following its accession to the Partnership for Peace.

He announced that he would again visit Bosnia in October when the reorganisation of the NATO HQ Sarajevo will be discussed, something he has agreed with the Bosnian Defence Minister Selmo Cikotic.