Helez hosts ceremonial academy on BiH Armed Forces Day: Investing in the defense sector is not a luxury but a necessity

(Patria) - On the occasion of December 1st - Armed Forces Day and the 18th anniversary of the formation of the BiH Armed Forces, a ceremonial academy was held at the BiH Armed Forces Home in Sarajevo.

The host of the academy was the Minister of Defense Zukan Helez with Deputy Ministers Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, in the presence of the BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirević, Chief of the Joint Staff of the BiH Armed Forces Lieutenant General Senad Mašović and Deputy Major Generals Gojko Knežević and Ivica Jerkić.

State and international officials and members of the military-diplomatic corps, representatives of cultural, public, and religious life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other top officials of BiH defense structures attended the ceremonial academy.



In his address, Minister Helez emphasized that the Armed Forces of BiH are the pillar of BiH's sovereignty, the pillar of stability and security for all peoples and citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the entire region, and thanked partner countries for their support in this regard.

“I can proudly say that we have strong Armed Forces, stronger than ever before. We can be especially proud of the members of the BiH Armed Forces who have achieved significant results in training and qualification this year and have managed to maintain, as well as raise, the demanding level of operational capability.

I am convinced that we are on the right path and that the BiH Armed Forces will grow stronger and progress even more each year,” said Helez.

The Minister recalled that with the new convocation of the BiH Council of Ministers and his appointment as head of the BiH Ministry of Defense, the military budget was increased. Therefore, for the first time, the material status of the members of the BiH Armed Forces and employees of the MoD BiH has been improved. He expressed hope that the trend of increasing the base salary, and thus income, will continue.

“Considering the complexity of the security environment on a global scale, where a large number of conflicts can potentially escalate into a global conflict, the modernization of our Armed Forces becomes an imperative. Investing in the defense sector is not a luxury. It is a real need, as it is an investment in the secure future of all citizens in BiH. I hope that other colleague ministers will also recognize the need and importance of the BiH Armed Forces and approve an increase in funds for the defense sector,” concluded Minister Zukan Helez.

The ceremonial academy was also enhanced by a fitting musical program performed by the BiH Armed Forces Military Orchestra, with the participation of timpani soloist Dario Kos.