The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, today received the Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Boris Ruge, who is on an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meeting, Ambassador Ruge reiterated that NATO remains firmly committed to preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers of Defense Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, as well as senior representatives of NATO and the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Discussions focused on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path toward full NATO membership and the current security challenges facing the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Minister Helez emphasized that Euro-Atlantic and European Union integration represents the strongest guarantee of security for Bosnia and Herzegovina and a key driver of its overall social and economic development.
“As the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I will do everything to ensure that security preservation and the fulfillment of obligations on the path to EU and NATO membership remain high on our agenda,” Helez said.
He also informed Ambassador Ruge about ongoing efforts to return the Defense Review and the Armed Forces Modernization Plan to the list of strategic priorities after a prolonged period of stagnation. Particular emphasis was placed on the NATO Defense Capacity Building (DCB) Program, which foresees investments of approximately 35 million euros over five years.
Both sides highlighted the positive dynamics of cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO, announcing an upcoming visit by the manager of NATO’s DCB and DEEP programs aimed at confirming priority projects for the current year. Minister Helez expressed expectations that additional NATO engagement would lead to broader material and financial support from member states for the implementation of all DCB projects.
The talks also covered Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in international peace operations, including plans to deploy a staff officer from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina within civil-military cooperation mechanisms, in line with UN resolutions and the country’s foreign policy priorities.
Ambassador Ruge expressed satisfaction with his stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that NATO attaches special importance to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region, and that the Alliance continues its presence in the region. He once again underlined NATO’s firm commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Deputy Minister Slaven Galić thanked NATO for its continuous and strong support, particularly through the DCB program, which he described as crucial for the modernization and strengthening of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense capacities. He reaffirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains firmly on its path toward NATO membership as a strategic objective.
Deputy Minister Aleksandar Goganović highlighted Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to close cooperation with NATO, stating that the country seeks to be an active and reliable partner and views NATO as a constructive actor in enhancing security and stability.
Concluding the meeting, Minister Helez stressed that the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain fully committed to achieving the country’s strategic goal of integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a reliable partner of NATO and is strongly committed to the Alliance’s fundamental values, collective defense and security,” Helez concluded.
The meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina was also attended by Brigadier General Matthew Valas, Commander of NATO Headquarters Sarajevo; Ambassador Vladimir Vučinić, Head of NATO’s Political Engagement and Support Department; Ana Maglajlić, Deputy Head of the same department; Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of Defense Salko Beba; Chief of the Cabinet of the Deputy Minister for Resource Management Aleksandar Nikolić; and other officials, the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina said.
