Helez at BiH Council of Ministers meeting with Rutte: Insufficient budget funds for modernization of BiH Armed Forces

(Patria) - Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defence Zukan Helez, along with deputies Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, participated in a meeting of the BiH Council of Ministers, at which NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the ministers.

In his address, Minister Zukan Helez emphasized that the abuse of institutions for the protection of personal or partial interests must not be allowed in Bosnia and Herzegovina today.

“Neither BiH institutions, nor NATO, nor the European Union should allow the results achieved in the past 30 years of maintaining peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be jeopardized by the actions of irresponsible policies,” said Minister Helez.

“This is an act of responsibility that we, as public officials, and you, as our partners, have towards the peoples and citizens of this country.”

Minister Helez stated that any pressure or political influence on the judiciary is unacceptable, as it should act solely based on the law and facts established in the legally prescribed procedure, and the decisions of competent courts must be respected. He emphasized that, as the Minister of Defence, he will do everything to ensure the continuity of the application of the Law on Defence and the Law on Service in the Armed Forces of BiH.

“This implies that the Armed Forces as a whole and all members of the BiH Armed Forces remain outside political influences, and continue to perform their tasks within the mission defined by law, based on decisions and orders issued in accordance with the law. The successful reform of the defence system is a roadmap for other reforms necessary for our country's transition from the post-conflict phase to the phase of Euro-Atlantic integration. Therefore, we must prevent any attempt to cause an erosion of trust in the BiH defence system, to undermine the cohesion and unity of the Armed Forces, as an institution that best reflects the multi-ethnic character of our country and society,” said Minister Helez.

Helez thanked Rutte for everything the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has done for Bosnia and Herzegovina so far and reminded of NATO's mandate and responsibility to ensure the maintenance of a secure and stable environment in BiH with the EU Forces (EUFOR) and BiH institutions. He stressed that this is particularly important in the context of current geopolitical circumstances in the country and the world.

Minister Helez added that he soon expects a positive assessment of progress in the implementation of the BiH Reform Program for 2023 and 2024, and another clear confirmation of the Euro-Atlantic perspective for BiH. He also highlighted the importance of NATO's Defence Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI), as the approved budget can only finance a part of the needs for fulfilling the modernization plan of the BiH Armed Forces.

In his address, Rutte emphasized that NATO will not allow any security vacuum that someone might exploit to threaten peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He particularly emphasized that he supports the work of the High Representative of the International Community in BiH.

“We will always strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also give full support to the EUFOR mission in BiH. We expect that the institutions of BiH will also do their part,” said Rutte.

The meeting of the BiH Council of Ministers with Rutte was also attended by the Chairperson of the BiH Council of Ministers Borjana Krišto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO Josip Brkić, and Deputy Minister of Security Ivica Bošnjak.