SARAJEVO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A 53-member contingent of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) peacekeepers left here for Afghanistan on Monday, local media reported.

Chief of Joint Staff of the BiH Armed Forced Senad Masovic said that by sending its contingent, BiH shows its strong commitment to continued participation in peacekeeping missions around the world.

"In this way, we want to promote the values of BiH and to facilitate its EU and NATO integration process as well," said Masovic.

BiH Deputy Minister of Defense Boris Jerinic said that the contingent includes 45 soldiers and eight military police officers.

BiH Armed Forces have been present in Afghanistan since 2009, with more than 1,300 members involved in the peace mission so far.