Western leaders recognize the importance of a NATO membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and advocate for the country’s integration into Euro-Atlantic partnerships and institutions. This was confirmed in December 2018, when the foreign ministers of the NATO member countries approved the first BiH Annual National Program that enabled the offer for an action plan for NATO membership. However, leaders and citizens of BiH have yet to reach such a consensus.
It has been eleven years since the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina were established. While a number of challenges remain, the defense reform and subsequent unification of the forces offers an example of how carefully crafted legislation can support the advancement of post-war reconciliation and state-building efforts.
How much will a future EU and NATO membership boost the economic growth of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and more importantly, with at what pace? Emir Redžzić speaks with entrepreneurs and officials from Vitez.