The Minister of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany, Boris Pistorius, arrived on Tuesday for an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, during which he met with the Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, and his deputies.
The German Minister of Defense was formally welcomed together with the Honorary Unit of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in front of the House of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after which a meeting of the delegations of the defense ministries of the two countries was held.
After the meeting, Helez said that he and his German colleague discussed the implementation of reforms, support for Bosnia and Herzegovina towards NATO integration, the aid package approved at the NATO Summit in Madrid in 2022, and the upcoming meetings of the alliance in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Germany is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s key friends on the foreign political front. Also, the Federal Republic of Germany gives full support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on the way to the European Union and NATO, and I want to thank them for that, as well as for everything they have done so far for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. From 2021 to 2025, Germany invested and will invest more than 20 million BAM in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This improves the accommodation and conditions of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and raises the standard and mobilization of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Helez said.
The German Minister of Defense stated that his country is making great efforts in the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans and that they show this through long-term and successful support.
“We have significantly expanded our relations, and this includes rehabilitation initiatives as well as bilateral programs that contribute to this. We contribute to the strengthening of appropriate capacities, related to logistics, artillery, elimination of excess ammunition, but also in language learning. From 2021 to this year, we will invest a total of 14 million euros from these funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and these are really important signals,” said Pistorius.
He added that during his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was convinced that the investment was appreciated and paid off and that they want to continue investing in the future because, as he said, it is important for the stability of the region, but also for Europe itself.
“We notice that there are certain tensions. It’s about having to decide at which wedding we’re going to dance. We can’t be in two places at the same time. If you want to join the EU, that’s welcome and you have to want it together in order to achieve it,” said Pistorius.
The German Minister of Defense also spoke about Russian influence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and about possible crisis and destabilization.
“We want to prevent Russia from causing an additional crisis, destabilization, from abusing this zone in order to expand its influence, hoping to destabilize the West in this way. Germany will support the engagement of EUFOR Atlhaea. It is very important that the forces can remain in Bosnia and Herzegovina and I look forward to the way they are welcomed here, because they also contribute to a safe environment for the necessary reforms,” said Pistorius and added:
“NATO and the EU have a clear position when we talk about Russia’s aggressive actions. The most important thing is that the partnership between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina has been very successful since 2006,” said the German minister.
He also added that Germany will support Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the entire region, are very important for the stability and security of Western Europe. Germany sees the future of the region in the European Union,” said Pistorius, AA writes.
E.Dz.
