Helez continues official visit to Indonesia: Talks on sports and military cooperation

(Patria) - Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defence Zukan Helez continued his official visit to Indonesia on Monday, 16 June 2025, following a multi-day participation at the Indo Defence Expo & Forum military exhibition in Jakarta.

During today's programme, Minister Helez met with Indonesia's Minister of Youth and Sports, Ario Bima Nandito Ariotedjo, with whom he discussed establishing cooperation in the field of sports between the two countries. On that occasion, the Indonesian minister proposed organising a friendly football match between the national teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Indonesia, and it was also agreed to sign a memorandum of cooperation in the field of youth and sports.

As part of the continuation of the visit, Minister Helez held important meetings with Dr. Omar, the Special Envoy of the President of Indonesia for the Military Industry, as well as with the director of the company PT Merpati Wahana Raya, Julian Zulham Juwadi. This company is a key player in the Indonesian defence industry, specialising in the production of special military vehicles, drones, security and surveillance equipment, and other military technology.

"Indonesia has over one million members of its armed forces, and readiness has been expressed for companies from the defence industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be included in their supply chains. I believe this would open up a huge market for our companies and contribute to strengthening the stability and development of the sector," stated Minister Helez.

In the coming days, the talks will be concretised through draft agreements on bilateral military and industrial cooperation, which will be forwarded to the competent institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina for consideration.

The delegation of the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to Minister Helez, includes Assistant Minister Zoran Šajinović and Chief of Cabinet Salko Beba with associates.