The Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez received the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Meshaal Ali Al-Attiyah today.
They discussed the possibilities for the promotion and improvement of cooperation between the two countries, as well as the establishment of the necessary framework for cooperation in the field of defense between our two ministries.
In the conversation, Minister Helez emphasized the fact that the main foreign policy goals of our country are membership in the European Union and NATO, but also cooperation with other friendly and partner countries, one of which is the state of Qatar.
During the meeting, it was pointed out that the management of the Ministry of Defense of BiH is determined to maintain the continuity of the reform of the defense system, to work on further building the capacities and capabilities of the Armed Forces to carry out the mission, i.e. to be a reliable support for all citizens of BiH and to be a credible and reliable partner in peace support operations abroad.
The interlocutors jointly stated that the two ministries have so far not achieved significant bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, but it was emphasized that there are no open issues in mutual relations. and that there is a need, desire and opportunities for more significant cooperation, especially in the field of training and education of personnel from the Armed Forces of the State of Qatar in our Training Center for Peace Support Operations – PSOTC.
Also, in the talks, the need for cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of the State of Qatar was highlighted with the aim of starting sponsored education and training programs for members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as financing projects for equipping the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to complete the concept of improving operational capabilities, connecting manpower, training and resources. into a single whole.
The meeting specifically discussed the need to speed up the process of signing the Agreement on Defense Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the State of Qatar, as well as the need to achieve other forms of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar H.E. Al-Attiyah also emphasized the need to achieve better cooperation in all fields and promised that in the coming period, the necessary activities will be undertaken to dynamize the overall process of cooperation between the two countries on the military, economic, cultural and every other level.
“The State of Qatar wants not only to help and support Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to invest in the economy of your country, which would be of vital importance for both countries,” said Ambassador Al-Attiyah.
Minister Helez identified the area of arms production, wood and textile industry, as well as certain products for the needs of the auto industry as important fields of possible cooperation between the two countries.
