It is a donation that is realized within the Export Control and Border Security Program (EXBS program) of the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the BiH Border Police announced.
Deputy Head of Mission Koski said that the US and Bosnia and Herzegovina share important goals, including combating the smuggling of weapons, dual-use goods, explosives, hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction, and that they must work together to prevent the threats posed by such goods from becoming a reality.
“Through the EXBS program, the US Embassy is proud to deliver a custom-made shallow water boat worth more than 80,000 US dollars to GPBiH today. This boat will help secure BiH’s river borders from the illegal movement of people and goods,” said Koski, adding that the US Government provides technical assistance and sophisticated equipment to partners like BiH and around the world.
He points out that this kind of policy benefits BiH, its neighbors and the region.
The boat, he adds, increases the ability of the border police to intercept conventional weapons, dual-use goods and weapons of mass destruction when crossing border areas, and strengthens the defense against all forms of smuggling of goods and human trafficking.
He also says that this patrol boat complements the US’s efforts to make BiH safer, which will have a positive impact in the entire region.
Director of the BiH Border Police Mirko Kuprešaković thanked for the donated patrol boat and the long-term support of the US Government to the BiH Border Police.
“The government of the United States of America has been continuously providing support to the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than two decades. All previous donations, including this one, which were handed to us by our friendly country, and whose value so far in specialist equipment alone is close to 16 million KM, were extremely important for improving operational efficiency. With this donation, within the framework of the EXBS program, we will further improve the capacities of the BiH Border Police in monitoring the ‘blue’ border and performing daily tasks,” he asserted. Kuprešaković.
This will be reflected, as he says, in more effective prevention of illegal migration, suppression of the trade in drugs, weapons, persons and excise goods, as well as in the fight against all forms of cross-border crime.
He also added that the official vessel will be put into operation immediately and assigned to the Support and Control Unit of the South Čapljina Field Office of the BiH Border Police and that this donation represents another sign of trust and support expressed by the US Government towards the GPBiH.
He also emphasized the commitment of the GPBiH to the employment of young staff and the training of existing professional staff, the improvement of material and technical resources, as well as the improvement of cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina. and international agencies and partners.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
