SARAJEVO, October 27 (FENA) – When the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopts the document ‘Reform Program of BiH 2025’, which is currently undergoing public consultation, it will represent another step toward full NATO membership, said Josip Brkić, Chairman of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, in a statement for FENA.
The Commission has published the draft document and invited both experts and the general public to participate in the consultation process through the digital platform eKonsultacije.
The Commission also concluded that, in addition to state institutions, the broader public should be involved in the consultation process.
Following the consultations, the draft is expected to be discussed at the session of the Council of Ministers of BiH, scheduled for October 30.
On October 23, Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted in Brussels its first Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP) with NATO, covering the period 2025–2028. This document represents a new strategic framework for cooperation between BiH and NATO, aligned with the concept of ”One Partner, One Plan”.
”Every year, we adopt what is known as a reform program, and for 2025, the Commission for Cooperation with NATO has prepared and submitted it for public discussion. The structure of the document is identical to previous programs and covers five key areas—rule of law, economy, resources, and other sectors that BiH institutions plan to implement during the year. Once the Council of Ministers adopts the document, it will represent another step in the Membership Action Plan (MAP) process, which leads us toward full NATO membership,” Brkić emphasized.
The Chairman of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO added that the ITPP represents the practical implementation of reforms planned for 2025 and defines specific tasks that BiH institutions intend to carry out.
The first Individually Tailored Partnership Program, adopted in Brussels, establishes a new strategic framework for cooperation between BiH and NATO.
The document brings together all existing cooperation mechanisms, including the Annual National Program (ANP), defense capacity building, interoperability, security sector reforms, and the enhancement of civil-military cooperation.
The ITPP is based on the principle of shared ownership, meaning that NATO and BiH jointly define priorities and activities. The goal is to achieve concrete results, strengthening institutions, combating corruption, professionalizing the Armed Forces of BiH, increasing transparency in reforms, and reinforcing BiH’s international position as a reliable partner.
The program is aligned with the Membership Action Plan (MAP), which represents the final stage before BiH receives a formal invitation to join the Alliance.
MAP allows NATO to monitor a country’s progress in key areas: defense reform, rule of law, political stability, and democratic standards.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has participated in the MAP since 2010.
”This is one of the most important documents in recent times. Although BiH regularly submits its reform programs to NATO, political consensus on joining the Alliance is still lacking. We know there has always been resistance from representatives of the Republika Srpska entity. However, given the situation in the world—particularly Russia’s aggression against Ukraine—small countries like ours are receiving a clear signal that we must honor what we have already signed. This document gives us hope that we are nearing the end of the process and that NATO will likely treat BiH favorably. Our soldiers already meet NATO standards, which is commendable and should be recognized by the public,” said Dijana Gupta, President of the Atlantic Council of BiH.
Marina Pendeš, former Minister of Defense of BiH, told FENA that every form of cooperation with NATO from Brussels demonstrates that BiH has made significant progress.
According to Mirko Okolić, former Deputy Minister of Defense of BiH, the ITPP represents a continuation of partnership with NATO, but not automatic membership.
”It’s a form of strategic cooperation; the political will for full membership hasn’t significantly changed recently. The focus remains on the technical implementation of reforms. I believe that after the public discussions, the document will reach the Council of Ministers, and then it remains to be seen how they will proceed,” Okolić said, stressing that political consensus on NATO accession has not shifted in recent times.
Although both NATO and domestic actors have welcomed the ITPP, the key obstacle remains the lack of political consensus within BiH.
This is especially evident in the Republika Srpska entity, where authorities have expressed reservations toward NATO membership.
The ITPP, as NATO’s main coordination tool with partners, defines all aspects of BiH–NATO cooperation within a strategic and results-oriented framework, highlighting the country’s main goals in the context of Euro-Atlantic integration.
The first ITPP between BiH and NATO is a practical and strategic document confirming that the country is working to meet the technical standards of the MAP.
The adoption of the document in Brussels, along with the expected steps by the BiH Council of Ministers, signals strong international support—but the outcome, a formal invitation to join NATO, still depends on domestic political consensus and the decisions of NATO member states.
Until political agreement is reached, BiH will continue to implement reforms, progress report, and strengthen the capacity of its institutions and Armed Forces, demonstrating to the international community its readiness for partnership and integration into the Alliance.
Currently, BiH remains in the Membership Action Plan (MAP) phase of NATO accession—one step away from full membership—but it has not yet received an official invitation to join the Alliance.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has been participating in the MAP since 2010, which represents the final preparatory stage before a formal invitation for membership.
