The Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez with his deputies Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović and members of the delegation of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted today the delegation of the United States Army Europe Command (USEUCOM) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), led by Brigadier General Chris McKinney and Director of European Policy, Central and Southern Europe (CSE) Alton Buland.
Helez welcomed the US delegation and pointed out that the US is an important segment of stability and security both for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the entire region. He emphasized that the USA is a key foreign policy factor for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“You are a country that has invested heavily in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and I express my deep gratitude for the constant presence and support you provide to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Helez said.
Brigadier General McKinney conveyed the greetings of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his deputy.
“We considered that BiH is the first country that should be the priority of our visit. The US closely monitors the security environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We remain committed to all peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement,” said McKinney.
He also welcomed all the efforts that BiH invests in preserving peace and stability in BiH. He promised to support the Armed Forces of BiH in equipping and training, and BH. the path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
He also expressed hope for the continuation of joint exercises, cooperation on the programs of the US Army and the Armed Forces of BiH (Mil to Mil), successful cooperation with the Maryland National Guard and USEUCOM.
Director for European Policy, Central and Southern Europe (CSE) Alton Buland emphasized that the US supports all the reforms that have been made in BiH so far. He emphasized that, in addition to all the conflicts in the world, the USA supports the sustainability of the work of Bosnia and Herzegovina. institution and that the USA is committed to a unified Bosnia and Herzegovina and a unified BiH Armed Forces, and also promised continued support.
In the continuation of the conversation, Helez praised the cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the military attache in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the successful twenty-year cooperation with NG Maryland, and expressed gratitude for the enormous financial assistance in developing the capacities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He informed the guests about the structure of the new general corps of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the obstacles to the adoption of the budget for 2024, which, as he said, “denies funding for equipping the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
He emphasized that the integration of BiH into European and Euro-Atlantic integrations has no alternative, and informed those present about the significant steps in fulfilling the 14 priorities for the start of negotiations for the accession of BiH to the European Union.
The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on the security situation in the world, and pointed out the importance of ending conflicts in the world.
Deputy Minister Galić also expressed his gratitude for the wide range of assistance that the US is sending to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I am glad that the care of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to this day. The presence of the US Army in BiH is important to us, because cooperation with the US is very important for our country, and the participation of your soldiers in the exercises has both a political and a practical character,” said Galić.
Deputy Minister Goganović said that the defense reform is the best reform after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. He praised the cooperation with the EUFOR Mission in BiH “Althea”, which contributes to stability in BiH. Regarding NATO integration, he emphasized that there is no consensus in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that he supports cooperation with NATO.
“We in Bosnia and Herzegovina know very well what conflicts are and that is why Bosnia and Herzegovina will always vote for peace,” said Goganović and pointed to the importance of regional cooperation in order to ensure peace and stability and respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement, the Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia announced. and Herzegovina.
