Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Zukan Helez received the newly appointed non-resident Military Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for BiH based in Ankara, Brigadier Muhammad Arslan Khan, with whom he discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of defense.
Helez wished Brigadier Khan a successful mission as a military-diplomatic representative in BiH and once again thanked him for the overall help and support that this friendly country provides to BiH.
During the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of defense between BiH and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which was stated to be at an enviable level but that there is room for improvement.
Minister Helez emphasized the fact that the main foreign policy goals of BiH are membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO, but also cooperation with other friendly and partner countries, one of which is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Moreover, it was emphasized that there is an Agreement on cooperation in the field of defense that was signed in 2012, which is a satisfactory framework for the implementation of quality and substantive cooperation.
It was jointly stated that it is necessary to additionally identify fields and areas of cooperation between the two countries, of which cooperation in the field of training and education of members of the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH) at the military academies of the Pakistan Armed Forces is particularly significant, as well as the field of arms industry, which would be of mutual benefit.
The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on the need to organize visits at the level of defense ministers and chiefs of general staff of the two countries, which, as they emphasized, is the most effective way to achieve better and more dynamic cooperation in the field of defense.
The meeting was also attended by the newly appointed ambassador of BiH to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Emin Cohodarevic, the Ministry of Defense of BiH announced.