Hosted by German Army Brigadier General Reinhard Kloss, assistant chief of staff Military Partnership Division, the meeting was in the framework of an annual military cooperation Expert Staff Meeting. It aimed to enhance NATO's understanding of the Host Nation’s military interests and partnership goals, while showcasing the various partnership opportunities available.  The ESM also enabled the delegation of the Military Partnership Branch and its partners to openly discuss progress under various initiatives and to ensure that our partners are correctly supported by NATO through JFC Naples.

Discussions included a review of the cooperation program between AFBiH and NATO in 2018, the Armed Forces' topics of interest, JFC Naples MPB's role in facilitating this partnership and a presentation on worthwhile cooperation program activities and exercises available to BiH in 2019.  Kloss stressed that "face to face” meetings remain vital in maintaining the excellent relationship already cemented between NATO and the AFBiH.  Kloss also stated that the Mobile Training Teams and shared Operational Capabilities Concept perspectives remain fundamental in maintaining a strong partnership.

BiH is a partner nation from the Partnership for Peace Framework. Strongly involved in NATO partnership, BiH is extremely active in numerous NATO initiatives including various courses at NATO Centres of Excellences, NATO School Oberammergau, NATO Partnership Training and Education Centres and in the NATO Defense College. The Expert Staff Meeting is a vital part of the annual military cooperation between NATO and BiH, as it ensures the military partnership is meeting the needs of the AFBiH in-line with NATO’s Military Committee’s Direction and Guidance.  More broadly it also supports NATO’s broader aims to help build the trust and understanding that will lead to better cooperation in the region while increasing military interoperability for future NATO missions

The next ESM between JFC Naples and AFBiH will take place in Sarajevo in 2019.

Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs Office