Austrian Defence Minister Tanner visits BiH Ministry of Defence: Integration of BiH into the EU is an important priority for Austria

(Patria) - Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers of BiH and Minister of Defence Zukan Helez, along with deputies Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, received on 04 December 2023 in an official visit the Austrian Minister of Defence, Klaudia Tanner.

The delegation of the Republic of Austria also included the ambassador of this country to BiH, H.E. Ulrike Hartmann, the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Defence, Major General Friedrich Schrötter, the adjutant of Minister Tanner, Brigadier General Martin Selzer, the military attaché of this country in BiH, Brigadier Erich Simbürger, and other members of the delegation.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the current political and security situation in BiH and noted that the recent extension of the mandate of the EUFOR Althea mission in BiH, at a time of increased security challenges, is of utmost importance for preserving a safe and stable environment in our country.

Members of the BiH Ministry of Defence delegation thanked Minister Tanner for the overall support and assistance that the Republic of Austria provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its EU integration path, as well as through numerous projects, the most significant of which is the education of our cadets at the prestigious Theresian Military Academy of the Austrian Armed Forces.

They praised the contribution to the EUFOR mission in BiH, where the Republic of Austria plays a leading role, as well as the significant assistance of this country in training members of the BiH Armed Forces, resolving surplus weapons and ammunition, and other important forms of assistance.

Minister Helez also informed Minister Tanner about the most significant activities of the Ministry of Defence and the BiH Armed Forces, with an emphasis on the development and modernisation of the BiH Armed Forces, resolving surplus weapons and ammunition, resolving non-perspective military property, as well as the importance of the NATO "Defence and Security Capacity Building Package for Bosnia and Herzegovina" (DCB), which was approved at the NATO Summit in Madrid last year, whose implementation has begun and whose results are already visible and highly beneficial for the BiH Armed Forces.

The meeting discussed the progress of our country on the Euro-Atlantic path, particularly in light of the announced meeting of the Bosnia and Herzegovina delegation in Brussels with the highest officials of the European Union, where progress in fulfilling the set conditions and priorities will be discussed, which could be a good sign for opening negotiations for our country's membership in this association.

The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Austria praised the efforts and activities carried out by the Ministry of Defence and the BiH Armed Forces and stated that the Republic of Austria will remain committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future, not only because of our shared history and friendly relations, but also because of the security challenges we all face together.

"That is why the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Western Balkan region into the European Union is an important priority for the Republic of Austria," said Minister Tanner during the meeting with the delegation of the Ministry of Defence and the BiH Armed Forces.

Finally, it was noted that the current level of bilateral defence cooperation is at an enviable level and will continue in the coming period for mutual benefit and satisfaction.

The delegation of the Ministry of Defence of BiH, in addition to the minister and deputies, also included the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the BiH Armed Forces, Major General Gojko Knežević, the military advisor to the minister, Brigadier Muhamed Dautović, the head of the minister's cabinet, Salko Beba, and the desk officer for cooperation with the Republic of Austria, Violeta Kuljanin.