Allies decided today to grant Montenegro its request to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP), a NATO programme of advice, assistance and practical support tailored to the individual needs of countries that wish to join the Alliance. Allies also stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina will join MAP, whenever there is progress in reforms.

“I congratulate Montenegro on their success. It’s the result of hard work,” said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. “And with a sustained effort at further reform, today’s invitation to join the MAP will be a stepping stone to the ultimate goal: full membership in the Atlantic Alliance.”

Allies agreed that Bosnia and Herzegovina will also find its home in NATO and that it is not a question of if it will join, but of when. At the same time, Allies noted that while progress has been achieved in defence reform, there is not enough progress in other important reform areas.

During the discussion, NATO Allies welcomed the broad national consensus behind Bosnia and Herzegovina’s request for MAP.

“The fact that three armies that so recently fought each other are now one, under one Defence Ministry, is a real achievement,” the Secretary General said. “But it is also true that Bosnia-Herzegovina has to do more. We have therefore decided that Bosnia-Herzegovina will join MAP once it achieves the necessary progress in its reform efforts and we will keep Bosnia-Herzegovina's progress under active review.”

“There should be no doubt in Bosnia-Herzegovina: we want to see you in MAP, and to see you in NATO,” said the Secretary General. “We will work hard to support your hard work.”