The Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Minister of Defense of BiH Zukan Helez, together with his colleagues, received today the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America for European Affairs, Gabriel Escobar, it was announced from the Ministry of Defense of BiH.
Deputy Ministers of Defense Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, as well as US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael Murphy and associates attended the meeting at the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Minister Helez thanked the guests for their visit, with emphatic gratitude to the United States of America, which, he said, is a proven friend and strategic partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We greatly appreciate the strong and continuous presence of the USA in our entire region, as well as the commitment to the stability and prosperity of BiH,” emphasized Minister Helez.
The minister introduced the guests to the main activities in the defense department, the appointment of the general corps, the renewal of military personnel and the process of solving the surplus of unpromising movable and immovable military assets.
The interlocutors exchanged opinions about the war in Ukraine and its consequences. They also discussed important issues of mutual interest for both countries, which concern bilateral defense cooperation, the Euro-Atlantic path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the participation of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in international activities.
It was established that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense is at an enviable level, and that there are opportunities for its further expansion, both in the field of defense and in the sphere of health, economy and beyond.
“The USA is helping to a large extent to strengthen the defense capacities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are especially grateful to you for your help in the field of training our personnel, in equipping them with new off-road vehicles and helicopters, supporting the Battalion Group of Light Infantry, the Demining Battalion and the Training Center for Peace Support Operations (PSOTC),” Minister Helez said.
Escobar expressed his strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the reform processes, saying that he understands the complexity of the political circumstances in BiH, but that he is pleased by the fact that state institutions are continuously functioning.
He emphasized that the United States of America is committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina through various forms of bilateral defense cooperation, and that progress in the field of defense reform can serve as an example for all other reform processes. He also emphasized the fact that the members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are extremely valued and respected outside the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that they stand side by side with their colleagues from NATO member countries.
Deputy Minister Goganović also thanked for the visit and commitment of the United States of America to both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the defense sector. He pointed out that the USA is the biggest proven friend and donor to the Ministry of Defense of BiH and that we still expect their support in preserving peace and stability and building a better and European BiH.
Deputy Minister Galić pointed out the need to continue reforms in the defense sector, which will inevitably lead to an improvement in the situation both in the field of defense and in society in general.
At the end of the meeting, Minister Helez thanked Mr. Escobar for his immeasurable support for reform processes, and once again emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between BiH and the USA, as well as the support for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration.
