The IISG Secretariat visited the premises of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 16^th  of February 2023, in Sarajevo.

The main purpose of the meeting was to provide introductory information and state of play of  IISG work to the new Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Mr. Nenad Nesic.

The discussions were arranged around the following points: the role of IISG as an open security platform; role and contribution of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the IISG process; support to the IISG by the European Commission and DG NEAR; and stakeholder’s position and contribution towards the IISG process.

Mr. Kapetanovic, Head of Political Department, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), said that placing the IISG Secretariat in Sarajevo under the RCC provided a better connection between security programs and other fields such as political, economic, and social integration. Mr. Kapetanovic explained that the IISG members are playing a good role in promoting the IISG, and the number of IISG members is increasing.

Mr. Sojati explained the reasons why IISG was proposed as a genuine security platform for Western Balkans. As a host country, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a very important role in the IISG Secretariat, and the Minister, as a Board member, could serve as a leading partner in regional security cooperation in all three pillars, including in the entire structure which is part of the IISG platform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and help regional cooperation to fully involved in the IISG agenda, approved by the IISG Board.

Mr. Sojati informed the Minister that DG NEAR is fully supporting the IISG, and the Commission is pleased to see the products such as needs mapping, response mapping, and IISG Database.

The Minister assured of the support to the process, emphasising that, as a board member, Bosnia and Herzegovina will serve as an important partner in security cooperation in all three pillars. He also assured of full support to IISG. The Minister introduced his team to IISG Secretariat, explaining their positions, and it was agreed that the Minister will appoint a contact person for the IISG from his Office.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr. Nenad Nesic, Minister of Security of Bosnia I Herzegovina, Mr. Mladen Bozovic, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Security, Mr. Darko Sandara, Advisor to the Minister, Mr. Mirsad Vilic, Director of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Amer Kapetanovic, Head of Political Department, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Mr. Agron Sojati, Head of IISG Secretariat, Ms. Maja Pinjo Talevska, Senior Expert/Deputy Head of IISG Secretariat, and Mr. Eros Andoni, Subject Matter Expert at IISG Secretariat.