Helez: Konaković told me he would resign if the BiH Council of Ministers does not adopt the helicopter procurement decision

(Patria) - BiH Minister of Defence Zukan Helez spoke to Mreža FTV about the procurement of helicopters for the Armed Forces of BiH, as well as the resignation offered by Elmedin Konaković, BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, if the BiH Council of Ministers does not adopt the procurement decision at its next session. Helez was not present at the last session, and the BiH Council of Ministers did not want to wait for the Ministry of Defence to prepare the documents, so they only adopted a conclusion.

"The damage has already been done for the helicopters; it's no longer 4.3 million, it will now be around 19 million. Everything has become more expensive on the market. And they promised that it was agreed, Nikšić told me, and Konaković several times. Konaković even mentioned resignation if these helicopters are not adopted at the next session. This is our internal conversation; I don't want anyone to misuse it. He even said – I am ready to resign if there are no helicopters, because they promised me so firmly. And I cannot believe they would deceive me like that. So, I expect the helicopters to be on the agenda at the next session," said Helez.

When asked what would happen if this item is not on the agenda at the next session, he said it would not be "the end of the world, but we will take certain measures."

"I can block, but it is not in my interest to block my country. I can block all their future projects, but I have to be present at the session. If we consider when someone will not come and we schedule an ad hoc session within a few hours, which is not even in line with the rules of procedure, then I can do that too," he said.

If this item is not on the agenda at the next session, do you expect Mr. Konaković to resign?

"It is completely irrelevant to me whether someone resigns. It is very important to me that the helicopters pass. I think they will pass. If we have reached the stage where we within the Council of Ministers lie to each other, then it is better for that Council of Ministers not to function at all," said Helez.