The US considers Bosnia to be one of its “key partners” in the battle against terrorism, Pentagon Spokesperson Carla Gleason told Voice of America.

She made the statement in light of the official visit of Bosnia’s Presidency Chairman, Zeljko Komsic, to Washington where he met with James Anderson, who is currently performing the duties of US Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for policy, on Wednesday.

“We need to deepen our relations with Euro-Atlantic companies, as well as between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States. We also discussed future security and reform initiatives and cooperation. This includes the partnership between Bosnia’s Armed Forces and the Maryland National Guard, which again implies new assistance such as military helicopters and other things,” Gleason said.

She emphasized that the US is interested in continuing a full partnership with Bosnia in many forms.

“There is an established process for military support and sales. This process is continuous for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and any assistance and sales must go through our Congress. We believe that security is extremely important throughout that region,” she said.

She emphasised that the US considers Bosnia “one of the key partners” in the fight against terrorism, adding that more than 275 members of Bosnia’s Armed Forces have participated in US education and training programmes for fighting against malicious influences and terrorism, as well as that this cooperation will continue.