Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt have discussed strengthening bilateral defense cooperation, including collaboration between their defense industries, the exchange of technologies and expertise, and opportunities for joint production.
The discussions were held between Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence Zukan Helez and Egypt’s Minister of Military Production Mohamed Salah El-Din Soliman during the First International Fair of Weapons and Military Equipment.
Helez emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt maintain close and friendly relations, with bilateral cooperation continuing to develop in various areas. Particular attention was given to cooperation in the defense industry, technology exchange and linking the production capacities of the two countries.
Helez also highlighted the experience and capabilities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in peace support operations, particularly through the Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC), a UN- and NATO-accredited institution for international training and the exchange of expertise.
He proposed greater cooperation with the Egyptian Armed Forces in mine action and the training of deminers, including the exchange of specialized knowledge and experience.
“The armed forces of Egypt have rich experience of participating in UN peacekeeping missions, and during the nineties of the last century they were part of the international peacekeeping forces in our country, for which I thank you on this occasion,” Helez said.
He added that there is significant potential for cooperation through joint training activities, the exchange of experience, strengthening interoperability and exploring opportunities for joint contributions to international peace and security efforts.
Soliman thanked Helez for the welcome and offered Egypt’s cooperation in demining and the destruction of unexploded ordnance, stressing Egypt’s extensive experience in the field. He said cooperation should be based on mutual complementarity and the exchange of expertise.
The Egyptian side also presented concrete proposals for cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense industry. Egypt expressed interest in procuring small-arms ammunition components from Igman d.d. Konjic, with the possibility of supplying gunpowder from Egypt for production in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cooperation was also proposed with UNIS Ginex d.d. Goražde and PRETIS d.d. Vogošća. Under the proposed arrangements, Egypt could supply gunpowder for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense industry, while BiH companies could provide components required for Egyptian production processes.
The talks also addressed the possibility of cooperation with Bosnian companies requiring high-quality armored steel for the production of armored vehicles. Egypt’s defense industry has such materials within its product range.
Helez said the concrete proposals demonstrate the importance of direct contacts and business discussions established at the First International Fair of Weapons and Military Equipment, which has created opportunities for new business arrangements and closer links between the production capacities of the two countries.
Soliman, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with the organization of the international defense fair and supported its continuation in the coming years, the Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced.
