The Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović, said at the Summit in Berlin on the topic of “Rebuilding Ukraine” that the defense of that country is the common interest of all democratic states in Europe and the world.
He pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina advocates respect for international law, equality, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principle of peaceful cooperation and that, among other things, we strongly support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“Today, more than ever, it is necessary to support Ukraine in its just struggle for freedom. The competent authorities of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine as an act of violation of international law. After the Russian aggression, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the positions of the European Union in which it strongly expresses its support for Ukraine. Solidarity and united support for Ukraine are of fundamental importance for the entire democratic and free world,” said Bećirović.
He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina fully understands the suffering and destruction that Ukraine is going through because from 1992 to 1995 it was a victim of brutal aggression during which the genocide of Bosniaks in Srebrenica was committed.
“No country in Europe, in the second half of the 20th century, suffered such great destruction as Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the war, GDP fell to about 25 percent of its pre-war value, industrial production declined by more than 90 percent, and unemployment reached between 70 and 80 percent. However, with the help of our allies, we have recovered and are ready to share our experiences of post-war recovery with friendly Ukraine,” claims Bećirović.
He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine belong to the community of free and democratic states and that together we share a vision of a world in which peace, freedom, justice and human dignity are fundamental values.
Bećirović said that our solidarity with Ukraine stems from a deep understanding of the importance of preserving these values, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina can be a reliable ally in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
“We are ready to share our experience, knowledge and resources regarding the construction and reconstruction of Ukraine. Our experience and experts in prosecuting criminals and identifying the missing can be useful. Our demining teams are among the best in the world. From 1996 to 2023, about 84,000 different types of mines and about 71,000 other explosive devices from the war were found and destroyed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are ready to provide assistance in training, but also in the removal of mines and unexploded ordnance,” said Bećirović.
He underlined that humanitarian and other assistance to the people of Ukraine, as well as assistance to the displaced Ukrainian population around the world, are of great importance, and that the protection of civilians is one of the most important tasks.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to show solidarity towards Ukraine. The state authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina will remain consistent in supporting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Bosnia and Herzegovina will always be with those who fight for justice, peace and human dignity,” said Bećirović, his cabinet announced.
