Bilateral consultations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America in the field of defense were held on April 25 at the Pentagon. It was emphasized that the administration of President Donald Trump supports the territorial sovereignty and integrity of BiH and welcomes the partnership in the field of defense that BiH is developing with the US federal state of Maryland.
The delegation of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH was led by the Minister of Defense Zukan Helez, and the delegation of the US Department of Defense was led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO David Baker. The final part of the consultations was also joined by Katherine Thompson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
During the constructive discussions that took place through four previously defined topics, it was emphasized that the administration of President Donald Trump supports the territorial sovereignty and integrity of BiH and welcomes the partnership in the field of defense that BiH is developing with the US federal state of Maryland. The progress made so far in bilateral military cooperation was highlighted.
Representatives of the US Ministry of Defense presented the new strategy of the Trump administration and expectations that Europe will do more to build conventional military capabilities, which requires greater allocations for the defense of European countries, including BiH.
The discussions emphasized the US commitment to the security and stability of the Western Balkans, especially to the further development of BiH and its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
The work of EUFOR to date was welcomed, especially the deployment of reserve forces when the situation on the ground requires it. The US-Adriatic Initiative (A5) was emphasized as a key forum for continued engagement in the Balkans.
The meetings supported the initiatives of the Minister of Defense of BiH that, according to the Constitution, the competent authorities should increase defense spending. It is expected that the defense reforms adopted in 2016 will be implemented in cooperation and partnership with the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, led by a US general.
During the bilateral consultations, information and proposals for the modernization of the Armed Forces of BiH were exchanged with the Defense Agency for Security Cooperation. It is expected that the Armed Forces of BiH will participate in multilateral exercises such as “Balkan Blitz” and “Vigorous Warrior 2026”.
Both sides emphasized the need to open talks on an agreement on general security and military information regarding the exchange of classified and confidential information.
The talks presented the experiences of the US and BiH MoD Inspectorates General, with recommendations to transfer the best practices of the US GI to improve the work of the BiH MoD.
They also emphasized the commitment to continuing efforts and ensuring the necessary resources for the purchase and maintenance of BiH AF aircraft and improving their capabilities.
It was agreed that the next bilateral consultations would be held in August and September 2026 in Sarajevo.
The MoD and AFBiH delegation also included Deputy Ministers Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, Chief of the Joint Staff of the AFBiH, Lieutenant General Gojko Knežević, Inspector General of the BiH MoD, Brigadier General Edin Fako, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović and other associates, the MoD BiH Public Relations Office announced.
