Helez suspends cooperation with Serbian Ministry of Defence until Gašić apologizes for sitting during BiH anthem

(Patria) - The Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez, stated at today's press conference that the BiH Ministry of Defence is suspending all cooperation with the Serbian Ministry of Defence, except for the training of cadets at the Military Academy, until the Minister of Defence of Serbia, Bratislav Gašić, apologizes. The Serbian minister attended the commemoration of the Day of the Third Infantry Regiment, which inherits the identity and heritage of the VRS, at the Kozara barracks, and remained seated while the BiH anthem was played. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH also sent a protest note.

"Due to the inappropriate behavior of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, I have issued an order to suspend all activities arising from the Plan of bilateral military cooperation between the Mo BiH and the Mo of the Republic of Serbia, which includes training, courses, participation in military exercises, and the like. The training of cadets at the military academy in the Republic of Serbia is excluded from this order. This order remains in effect until the apology of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia," Helez explained.

Helez stated that an internal procedure will be conducted to determine why the order to ban entry into the barracks for Milorad Dodik, Nenad Stevandić, and Radovan Višković was not implemented.

"After the internal procedure is completed and all facts are established and evidence collected, further actions will be taken in accordance with the applicable regulations," Helez said.

"All responsible persons, regardless of their function and position, will be treated in accordance with applicable legal norms and principles of responsibility. In this regard, no option is excluded. Due to the inappropriate behavior of the Minister of Defence of Serbia, I have issued a decision to suspend all activities arising from the plan of bilateral military cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Defence of Serbia, which includes education, courses, and participation in military exercises," Helez said.

Cadets at the Military Academy in the Republic of Serbia are excluded from this order, and the order remains in effect until the apology of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.

"An important period lies ahead for the Mo BiH and the Armed Forces of BiH. Preserving peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not possible without depoliticizing the Armed Forces. It must never again be allowed for the AF BiH to be subject to abuse and deliberate destruction by any individual holding any position," Helez stated.

He indicated that the incident shows that BiH's entry into NATO is the solution to Bosnia and Herzegovina's security crisis.

Helez stated that he was the only one who stood up to protect the law and competencies and asked why his superiors did not speak out, given that it is known who the supreme commander of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina is.