Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, today received the High Representative in BiH, Christian Schmidt, and discussed the current security and political situation in Europe, as well as the main activities of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH.
Helez pointed out that Euro-Atlantic integration is at the top of the foreign and security policy priorities of BiH and that the defense institutions in their sphere will do everything to justify BiH’s candidate status for joining the European Union. He added that the security situation in the region is also reflected in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that the economic and energy implications of the war in Ukraine are increasingly visible.
“At the top of my priorities is ensuring a better material status for the members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as all those employed in the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the increased budget for this year, the consequences of inflation can be mitigated to some extent, although we will still lack funds for the planned modernization,” said Helez.
Schmidt congratulated Helez on his appointment and wished him success in his mandate.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has clearly defined its foreign policy goals, which are the exclusive responsibility of the state. Decisions made in this regard at the state level should be respected. The international community calls on the political leaders in BiH to focus on positive activities and work together to achieve the progress of BiH,” said Schmidt.
The High Representative of the International Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, was today on an inaugural visit to the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on that occasion held a meeting with the leadership of the House, Tomislav Martinović, the Speaker of that House, and Vice-Presidents Izen Hajdarević and Slađan Ilić.
They discussed the work of the House of Peoples and the completion of the process of establishment of government in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The members of the leadership of the House of Peoples informed the HR that the process of constituting the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH will soon be completed with the election of working bodies.
The members of the leadership of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH thanked the HR in BiH for the decisions made so far and for supporting BiH on its European path and obtaining a candidate status for EU membership, said the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the FBiH.