The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, together with his deputy, Aleksandar Goganović, spoke today with the commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, about the visit of the North Atlantic Council (NAC-NATO) to our country, the appointment of the general corps of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, plans for 2024, NATO cooperation and Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and about projects in the implementation of which the Alliance plays a key role.
Minister Helez thanked Brigadier McGaha for being an active participant in the NAC visit.
“The messages presented at the NAC meeting as well as direct contacts encouraged us further. At the same time, we must be objective, we must work harder, especially on programs that have been stalled for more than a year,” Helez said.
Helez emphasized that the adoption of the budget at the BiH level is very important for the MoD and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“First of all, we have to fight for a new budget, because the Council of Ministers has not yet approved the draft budget, and in 2024 we have entered the regime of temporary financing. The period of temporary financing limits us for any serious project and slows down the regular procurement plan,” said Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the meeting, Helez informed McGah about the phase of the Support Package for the Armed Forces of BiH (DCB) project. He emphasized that as the deputy chairman of the BiH Council of Ministers, he is trying to fulfill the conditions for the start of negotiations for EU membership.
McGaha emphasized the firm commitment of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo to continue providing support to the MoD and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I really appreciate your hospitality that you showed to the NAC delegation. I think that the arrival of the North Atlantic Council at this moment is a strong signal from NATO and proof of their support for the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and your country. It is also important that the visit took place at the beginning of 2024 when we define our priorities,” she said.
She pointed out that it is of great importance for the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo and for her personally to know the priorities of the MoD of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as communication with the Joint Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Emphasizing that he is satisfied with the level of cooperation with NATO, Deputy Minister Goganović said that the Defense Review is our most important strategic document and that positions should be profiled with the Joint Staff, and that he supports the Reform Program and believes that it will soon be adopted for 2023.
He added that “there is no blockage in the work of the commission for cooperation with NATO, but there was a standstill due to certain daily policies, statements and relations”, and as the main priority he emphasized the importance of improving the working conditions and stay of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina at military locations , it was announced from the MoBiH.
