The Ambassadors of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council member countries in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcome the adoption of the legislative and other reforms proposed by the Defence Reform Commission (DRC) by the BiH Council of Ministers at their session held today.

The Steering Board Ambassadors commend the BiH Government for showing the same kind of constructive approach to reform that was a characteristic of the DRC itself. It is clear that the significance of these reforms has been fully grasped by the members of the BiH Government, and their commitment to these reforms has been reaffirmed.

If BiH is to become a credible candidate for NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme, which will bring long-term security to the citizens of this country, these reforms must be enacted by the parliaments. The Steering Board Ambassadors note that for other states PfP membership has had a positive impact on their economy, on their capacity to attract international investment, and would be the best guarantee of BiH’s long-term security.

The Steering Board Ambassadors today call on BiH’s parliamentarians to ensure that this reform package is debated and adopted as soon as possible.