Bećirović hosted Turkish Minister of Defence: BiH has strategic importance for the Western Balkans

(Patria) - Member of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović received the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Turkey Yaşar Güler in Sarajevo today.

Bećirović welcomed Minister Güler and on that occasion praised the very good and stable political relations and bilateral cooperation between BiH and Turkey, expressing hope that they will continue to develop for mutual benefit.

He thanked Turkey for supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to European integration, in addition to strong support for its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnicity.

He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains fully and unequivocally committed to its strategic foreign policy goal – full membership in the EU, which is why it would be of exceptional importance for the European Council to adopt a decision on opening accession negotiations with BiH next month.

He thanked Turkey for its significant assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of defense and security, citing as an example that more than 150 members of the Armed Forces of BiH have completed their training in Turkey.

He proposed intensifying and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, especially increasing mutual trade with the aim of reducing Bosnia and Herzegovina's deficit, but also increasing Turkish investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He pointed out that in 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina's imports from the Republic of Turkey amounted to 1.5 billion KM, and exports to 261 million KM.

Minister Güler said that Bosnia and Herzegovina has strategic importance for the Western Balkans and that his country wants to improve cooperation with BiH in all areas, including defense and security.

He thanked Bosnia and Herzegovina and its institutions for the assistance they provided to Turkey in overcoming the consequences of the devastating earthquake that hit it last year.

On behalf of the members of the Presidency of BiH Željko Komšić and Željka Cvijanović, advisors Sifet Podžić and Marko Milisav attended the meeting.