The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Sifet Podzic and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH) Colonel General Senad Masovic talked yesterday with the delegation of the United Kingdom (UK), which represents this friendly and partner country in the European Union (EU) and NATO institutions in Brussels.
The delegation included Brigadier, UK Representative to the EU Old Roy, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO Nick Pickard, British Ambassador to BiH Matthew Field, and the country’s Defense Attaché to BiH, Brigadier Andrew Tait.
Minister Podzic thanked for the help in the field of schooling and various types of training and education, establishment and equipping of military ambulances at the locations of the AFBiH, modernization of training centers, especially the Combat Training Center in Manjaca, as well as numerous other projects.
The participants in the meeting were informed about the main activities of the Ministry of Defense and the AFBiH in the time of increased security and economic challenges in BiH and throughout Europe, as well as activities from the “Reform Program” and cooperation with NATO and EU.
Minister Podzic also referred to the difficulties and challenges that the defense system is facing due to the non-adoption of the defense budget in the last two years.
The meeting also discussed the negative implications caused by the blockade of state institutions and failure to make the necessary decisions at the level of the BiH Presidency, which basically prevents the use and engagement of the AFBiH in fulfilling certain missions and tasks.
”Despite all these challenges and difficulties, we manage to fulfill our obligations, but the help and support of friendly and partner countries are very welcome and desirable in the time ahead,” Podzic stated.
The guests emphasized their full support to the Ministry of Defense and the AFBiH in their further work and expressed their firm commitment to any kind of assistance, where necessary.
They praised the activities of members of the AFBiH at the domestic and international level and expressed a desire for even greater involvement of our defense capabilities in bilateral and multilateral activities, the Public Relations Office of the BiH Ministry of Defense said.
E.Dz.
