At an extraordinary session in Sarajevo, the deputies of the federal parliament supported with a majority vote a draft reorganisation of the Bosnian defence system which, among other things, envisages the abolition of the existing entity armies and defence ministries.
A similar decision was made by the parliament of the other entity, the Bosnian Serb Republic, and now it is possible to adopt a state law which will regulate defence.
According to the reorganisation plan, drafted with NATO's help, Bosnia and Herzegovina will have one army instead of the two entity ones, which have about 12,000 people. The national army will comprise 10,000 professional soldiers deployed in three regiments, each with three battalions.
Two regiments will be deployed in the Federation and one in the Serb entity.
The reorganisation plan also abolishes conscription and introduces an active reserve which will comprise 5,000 people.
The reorganisation of the military is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2006.