The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, received on Thursday the US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Michael Murphy on an official visit with whom he discussed bilateral military cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States.
Helez pointed out that the US is a key ally of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its Euro-Atlantic path, and that he is glad that our country is among the military and political priorities of the US.
Murphy pointed out that the US will permanently advocate for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as its multi-ethnic character, and that Washington cares that the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are strong and efficient.
In this respect, any support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its way to full membership in the Euro-Atlantic institutions is unquestionable.
Helez informed the US ambassador about the details of the increase in the military budget of Bosnia and Herzegovina, activities on the recruitment of new personnel and upcoming personnel decisions in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as plans for further solving the surplus of unpromising ammunition.
Helez reiterated his gratitude for the US aid package of 23 million dollars for further strengthening the helicopter capacities of the BiH Armed Forces, and emphasized that the MoD and the BiH Armed Forces will continue to be committed to the project of further procurement of American helicopters.
During the meeting, Helez also spoke about his upcoming trip to the US, from April 10 to 16, 2023, where he will participate in the meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a series of bilateral meetings at the Pentagon and the State Department, and visit the governor of the US State of Maryland and the Maryland National Guard.
Murphy concluded that the MoD and the Armed Forces of BiH can always count on the help of the American side and that continuous support will not be lacking.
