The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, today received the military attaché of the United States (USA), Brigadier Eric R. Adams.
The topics of the meeting were cooperation with NATO, activities that are planned in the coming period in the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of BiH and the Armed Forces (AF) of BiH, and bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries.
Analyzing the activities in the past period, Helez highlighted the reaction of the MoD and the BiH Armed Forces regarding the devastating earthquakes that hit the Republic of Turkey and Syria, adding that the BiH Armed Forces team conducted a seven-day search and rescue mission in the most severely affected regions in Turkey.
Brigadier Adams said that the US continues with all forms of cooperation with BiH as well as military-to-military (Mil2Mil) programs and that the work of the BiH MoD on improving the partnership between the two countries is highly appreciated by the US.
Adams concluded that it is good to see that the budget of the BiH institutions has been adopted, where the increase for the defense sector will affect the strengthening of the morale of the members of the Armed Forces of BiH who have so far shown themselves to be very responsible and professional in the performance of their duties.
On the occasion of bilateral cooperation, Helez expressed desire to intensify it with an emphasis on US-sponsored education and training programs for members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, urging the continuation of funded projects for equipping the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to complete the concept of improving operational capacities, connecting manpower, training and resources in a unique whole.
Helez expressed gratitude for the expressed readiness of the US to provide an additional aid package in the amount of 23 million dollars for the procurement of helicopters, which will further improve the operational capacities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and ensure the continuation of activities to fulfill the goals towards the Euro-Atlantic path of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Adams announced that the announced donation of the helicopters will be realized after the completion of the administrative procedures and said that the US remains committed to continuing cooperation with the desire to improve it in the future, which would lead to the final integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into NATO, stated the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
