Bećirović: Let's strengthen the Armed Forces of BiH as the main factor for protecting peace and stability

(Patria) - Member of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović addressed the attendees tonight at the Dom Oružanih snaga BiH in Sarajevo at a ceremonial academy on the occasion of the 20th anniversary and Day of the Armed Forces of BiH.

On behalf of the Presidency of BiH and in his personal name, Bećirović congratulated the members of the Armed Forces of BiH and the citizens of BiH on the 20th anniversary of the Armed Forces of BiH.

- Twenty years of building and development of the AF BiH lie behind us. Twenty years of hard, dedicated, and responsible work by all of you in the AF BiH, from generals to soldiers. Twenty years of service to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Twenty years of building credibility and reputation, both domestically and internationally. Twenty years of selfless assistance to civilians across our homeland.

Twenty years of top professionalism, valuable training, and sacrifice in saving human lives. Twenty years of building the capacity for joint and coordinated action with the armed forces of NATO countries.

Twenty years of successful participation of the AF BiH in international peace support operations around the world is the best confirmation of the high level of training and professionalism of our AF BiH - said Bećirović.



While marking this significant date, he emphasized that we must be aware of the challenges ahead.

- In a time of global and complex security threats (hybrid, cyber, energy, and others), only through joint efforts can we ensure that our country remains stable and secure - emphasized Bećirović.

According to him, the continuous strengthening of the capacities of the AF BiH, modernization of equipment, additional education and training, and strengthening of interoperability remain a priority.

- Also, it is important that as a society we do not forget that investing in security means investing in peace and prosperity. The AF BiH have successfully completed all tasks. Your professionalism, courage, and dedication deserve the highest praise. Congratulations on that.

All of us together can be proud of the multi-ethnic AF BiH, which belongs to and truly serves all citizens throughout the entire state territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

It is our obligation to strengthen the AF BiH. This means further improving overall capacities, organizational structure, efficiency and responsibility, military equipment, transparency and finances, as well as the living standards of the members of the AF BiH - stated Bećirović.

He emphasized that he expresses special respect to the NATO member states that are concretely helping to equip and strengthen the AF BiH.

- In the last three years, I have held eight important meetings with NATO Secretaries General and have personally seen how committed they are to a secure and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina. Numerous other NATO leaders have expressed the same commitment, to whom I also thank for their support.

I also want to point out the important role of the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo, as well as the important contribution of EUFOR to preserving security and stability in our country. We do not want to be a periphery of the security architecture, but its active and responsible part.

Without a secure and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is no secure and stable region. Our task is to continuously bring the AF BiH closer to NATO standards.

Everyone must understand that the modernization of the AF BiH is not only a matter of national security but also of fulfilling international obligations. As a country aspiring to NATO membership, Bosnia and Herzegovina has an obligation to maintain capable and operational forces that can act effectively.

The AF BiH have proven high professionalism on numerous meridians and parallels. In less than three decades, Bosnia and Herzegovina has transformed from a recipient to a provider of international military assistance. The credit for this primarily belongs to the AF BiH.

Our soldiers have shown how to build the credibility of a state and gain the trust of allies - emphasized Bećirović.

He stressed that in the previous period, the AF BiH have shown that they serve all people in our country.

- In the most difficult moments, you were with the citizens of our country. You selflessly and bravely helped people across our country during floods, fires, and other natural disasters.

The Presidency of BiH, as the supreme command of the Armed Forces of BiH, at the proposal of the Ministry of Defense of BiH, promptly reacted in each of these situations. We unanimously adopted dozens of decisions on the engagement of the AF BiH to assist civilian authorities.

Let us be proud of all our individual identities, but let us also build our common, Bosnian-Herzegovinian one. Let's work for the benefit of all people. Let's continue to reach NATO standards, because they are a guarantee that we will all have more security, economic progress, and justice together.

Full membership in NATO and the EU, security and stability are the best legacy we can leave to our children and future generations. This is not just a political ambition, it is a security and economic imperative - Bećirović said in his speech.



He also emphasized that the Armed Forces of BiH are the army of all of us, adding that they belong to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all its citizens.

- Therefore, it is our duty to strengthen them with concrete measures. Let's work together so that our children and grandchildren have a peaceful, secure, and stable future. Let's strengthen the AF BiH as the main factor for protecting peace and stability.

The AF BiH are a positive example that other institutions should follow. The army must remain professional, responsible, and in the function of realizing its legally defined mission. The army must serve the state and protect the security of all people. That is the most honorable mission.

Once again, I congratulate the members of the AF BiH, as well as the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the 20th anniversary of the Armed Forces of BiH - concluded Bećirović.