Helez proposed to NATO the establishment of a base in BiH

(Patria) - In continuation of his official visit to NATO headquarters, BiH Minister of Defence Zukan Helez held a meeting yesterday with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli.

He also met with the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Hubert Cottereau, and other high-ranking officials of the NATO alliance.

During the talks with Cavoli, Helez informed his interlocutor about the deteriorating political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He emphasized that such circumstances help Russia in destabilizing the region, and that this influence can reshape the Western Balkans, as well as the whole of Europe, and that the NATO alliance must not remain indifferent to such Russian activities.

- Russia, which is currently committing aggression against the sovereign state of Ukraine, must not be allowed to penetrate the heart of Europe through the Western Balkans - said Helez.

In order to prevent unwanted influence from the Russian Federation and similar destructive forces in our region in the Western Balkans, Helez proposed to General Cavoli and other high-ranking NATO officials to improve cooperation between our country and the NATO alliance, which would include strengthening BiH's defence system and equipping the Armed Forces with short- and medium-range anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems.

He also emphasized the establishment of a NATO base in our country, which would stop the spread of destructive influences and provide additional guarantees of stability, security, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

Finally, Minister Helez proposed to General Cavoli that our country be invited to full membership in the NATO alliance.

- As a member of the NATO alliance, our country would be safer, more economically advanced, would permanently bring stability to the Western Balkans, and would make the Alliance stronger - added Helez.