The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) yesterdayadopted the Draft Budget with two votes “for” by ZeljkaCvijanovic and Denis Becirovic and one ”against” by Zeljko Komsic, who did not give the green light because, as he stated, no funds were envisaged for the modernization or equipping of the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH).
However, from the cabinet of the member of the BiH Presidency, Denis Becirovic, they told that this is not true.
BiH Defense Minister Zukan Helez noted that he found it unbelievable that BiH Presidency member Zeljko Komsicrefused to vote for the budget even though funds for the AFBiH were significantly increased by almost 100 million BAM.
“That’s unbelievable. Well, when Sifet Podzic, my predecessor, who I greatly appreciate and respect, was a minister from the DF, the budget of the AFBiH was not increased, not even by single BAM, it was even reduced twice. Komsic was a member of the Presidency of BiH, and it was not increased not even by single BAM. Now the problem is that over 90 million BAM has been increased for the AFBiH. It is the first time in post-Dayton BiH that the budget for the AFBiH has been increased and for a large sum of money. There is no equipment item, it goes in a set for the AFBiH and we allocate it. I don’t understand what they are doing… This is for the whole country, everyone should be proud that the Armed Forces have an increased budget,” Helez said.
The Chief of the Joint Staff of the AFBiH, Lieutenant General Senad Masovic, points out that they have not yet received an overview of the draft budget, but that the positive effect is that there is an improvement in the personal status of the members of the AFBiH in terms of salary increases.
This, he believes, will enable soldiers to remain in the service, but also contribute to the reception of new ones. However, he hopes that AFBiH will be equipped, i.e. that it will lead to themodernization of the AFBiH, but that he is aware of the current situation and that many things have not been dealt with, and he hopes for the help of international partners, just as before.
It should be recalled that a recent meeting was held by the member of the Presidency of BiH, Denis Becirovic, and Colonel General Senad Masovic, and they agreed on the importance of sufficient allocation for defense, as well as the implementation of the plan for the modernization and development of the AFBiH, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
