General Mojsilović invites Knežević to military parade in Belgrade while bilateral military cooperation between BiH and Serbia is suspended

(Patria) - Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Milan Mojsilović has extended an invitation to Gojko Knežević, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to attend the military parade 'Strength of Unity' which will be held on September 20 in Belgrade, on the occasion of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag, which Serbia and the BiH entity of the RS mark on September 15.

In the letter, which Patria has seen, Mojsilović emphasizes that this will be an opportunity to showcase modern weaponry, combat systems and military equipment of the Serbian Armed Forces.

'I am confident that your presence at the Serbian Armed Forces parade will send a message about the relations between our armed forces and provide additional impetus for considering possibilities for further improvement of bilateral military cooperation in areas of mutual interest,' Mojsilović states in the letter to Knežević.

This invitation to Knežević comes at a time when the decision of the BiH Minister of Defense Zukan Helez, dated May 16, is in effect, suspending all activities within the framework of bilateral military cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of BiH and the Ministry of Defense of Serbia due to the inappropriate behavior of the Serbian Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić, except for the education of cadets at the military academy in Serbia.

Serbian Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić remained seated during the playing of the anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the marking of the Day of the RS Army and the Day of the Third Infantry Regiment of the RS, at the Kozara barracks in Banja Luka on May 12.
In addition to Gašić, Milorad Dodik, then President of the Republika Srpska, also remained seated during the playing of the anthem.

On May 19, Helez held emergency consultations with the BiH military attaché in Serbia, Brigadier Srđan Čavić, whom he informed that Gašić had violated the Law on Defense of BiH, as well as international law regulating the conduct of foreign officials during official visits.

It is considered that such an act constitutes a violation of the norms and customs of international relations. In particular, Article 3 of the Law on Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasizes the importance of preserving the dignity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina in all military and diplomatic interactions.

Whether Knežević will nevertheless disregard Helez's decision and go to Belgrade will become clearer on September 20.