The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, has extended his congratulations to the members of the Defence Reform Commission following their agreement on recommendations for the draft BiH Defence law.
The Commission members, chaired by American expert James Locher, signed the report containing the recommendations, on Thursday evening.
“If these recommendations are implemented, they will make this country a credible candidate for NATO’s Partnership for Peace,” the High Representative said. “The Commission under the remarkable chairmanship of Jim Locher III, has worked with professionalism and dedication for over three months to produce a document of lasting significance. By opening the door to integration into NATO, its members have begun a process that offers the citizens of this country the best prospects for long-term peace and stability.”
The High Representative also paid tribute to the political leaders of BiH who supported this process, and played such an important role over the last few days.
“They have shown that they understand that the spirit of compromise is only way forward for this country,” he said.
The High Representative also thanked those embassies, in particular the Italian Presidency of the European Union, who worked with the OHR to help the Commission reach a successful conclusion.