U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has congratulated Bosnia-Herzegovina on its recent deployment of an armed forces unit to Kandahar in Afghanistan to join with the Maryland National Guard there.
Hagel conveyed the U.S. appreciation during talks with Bosnian Defense Minister Zekerijah Osmic at the Pentagon on Wednesday, according to a Pentagon press release.
"This week, the Maryland National Guard and the Bosnian Armed Forces celebrate the 10th anniversary of their State Partnership, a key part of our military to military relationship," Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in the press release.
"Secretary Hagel noted that in the 17 years since the Dayton Accords, the Bosnian Armed Forces have matured greatly and are now contributing to NATO's efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan," the release said.
The two leaders also discussed their mutual priorities of NATO reforms to include ammunition disposal and logistics reform.
"Secretary Hagel reiterated the United States' commitment to Bosnia's progress toward NATO and EU integration, and conveyed our firm support for current efforts to register its defense properties," Little said.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com