The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, received the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monsignor Francis Assisi Chullikatto, on an official visit today.
They discussed bilateral cooperation between the Holy See and Bosnia and Herzegovina, current events in Europe and the region, as well as the upcoming visit of Minister Helez to the Holy Father Francis in the Vatican.
Minister Helez emphasized the importance of the fact that the Holy See was among the first to recognize the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in April 1992, and that since then it has given full support to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious community. He especially thanked Msgr. Chullikattu on the proposals that the embassies of the European Union countries in Bosnia and Herzegovina form a contact group, which would help the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to fulfill the set goals on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.
In the context of the armed conflict in Ukraine, Minister Zukan Helez emphasized the efforts to reduce the malignant influences that are manifested in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a consequence of this conflict.
“We support the democratic world in the fight against violence, be it individual or collective,” said the minister, stressing that Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the Euro-Atlantic world.
Mons. Chullikatt pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its difficult war experience, but also its multi-ethnic and multi-religious character, can be a model for the whole of Europe, and that the role of Bosnia and Herzegovina in building peace and stability in the region should be even more pronounced. He said that the Holy See will always support BiH in this. He emphasized that achieving peace throughout the world should always be above any political goal.
The Apostolic Nuncio thanked Minister Helez for his expressed desire to visit Pope Francis and emphasized the effort to make the visit as soon as possible, to the satisfaction of both parties.
