Sarajevo, 5 September 2025 – The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a high-level ceremony today to mark the first official recognition of the NATO Quality Assurance Specialist Programme (NQASP), newly launched in cooperation with NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Transformation (HQ SACT). The ceremony, held in the Armed Forces Hall, gathered senior representatives from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside the Deputy Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo and distinguished stakeholders and guests.
At the centre of the event was Lieutenant Colonel Amer Riković, the first NATO-Certified Quality Assurance Specialist and Officially Appointed NQASP Manager who will be in charge to run the NQASP on behalf on NATO HQ SACT MDFD. In recognition of his pioneering role, his significant contributions to the NATO Quality Assurance Community, and his dedicated service as a valuable member of the NATO HQ SACT Team of Experts, the Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded LTC Riković the Medal of Military Merit. This decoration represents the highest recognition that can be bestowed upon an active service member under the MoD’s regulations on awards and commendations.
“This honour is not only a personal achievement but also a national milestone,” stated during the Ceremony. “Lieutenant Colonel Riković’s success reflects the growing role of Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening the NATO Alliance and its Quality Assurance System. By becoming the first NATO QA Specialist and NQASP Manager, he has set the standard for future generations and confirmed that our Armed Forces are among the most reliable ambassadors of our state.”
The NQASP is a groundbreaking programme designed to provide NATO and partner nations with standardized Quality Assurance expertise, supporting interoperability, transparency, and accountability across the Alliance. Its implementation within Bosnia and Herzegovina ensures that the MoD and AF BIH are aligned with NATO’s highest standards in education, training, and evaluation.
By acknowledging the role of LTC Amer Riković, the Ministry of Defence underlined the strategic importance of NQASP as a force multiplier for the QA community, and as a tool that adds long-term value to the NATO Alliance. This recognition further strengthens Bosnia and Herzegovina’s reputation as a trusted and forward-leaning partner, ready to contribute to collective security through professionalism, knowledge, and commitment.
The ceremony concluded with expressions of pride and determination to continue building on this success, ensuring that the NQASP becomes a lasting legacy within Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Defence System, and a vital component of NATO’s future development.
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Congratulations!