Helez Receives Minister Brekelmans: Further Strengthen and Enrich Already Good Relations Between BiH and the Netherlands

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of BiH Zukan Helez received a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands today for an official visit, led by Ruben Brekelmans, who is visiting our country for three days.

During the meeting, attended by the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, as well as the Deputy Chiefs of the Joint Staff of the AF BiH, bilateral military cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of the Netherlands was discussed, with a special focus on the continuation of support for reforms in the defence sector and BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Minister Helez emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are long-term and reliable partners, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina has strong and continuous support from the Netherlands on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

He particularly highlighted the significant contribution of the Netherlands within the EUFOR "Althea" mission, as well as its contribution to the development and modernization of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially through donations from the NATO Trust Fund "Perspektiva".

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was among the largest donors to this fund, as well as through donations to the Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC) of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- I am sure that today's visit will further strengthen and enrich the already good relations between our countries, and contribute to the further strengthening of friendly ties and partnership cooperation in the field of defence and security - Helez stated.

After the meeting, a joint dinner was held for the delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, attended by the Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Matthew Valas, further confirming the close cooperation between partner and allied structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As part of the three-day visit, Minister Brekelmans will visit the EUFOR Headquarters in Sarajevo, as well as the Memorial Park at Camp Butmir, where a memorial stone dedicated to the memory of the contribution of international forces personnel will be unveiled during a commemorative ceremony.

Minister Brekelmans will also visit the members of the Dutch contingent within EUFOR, witness a demonstration of their capabilities, and become acquainted with their tasks and engagement in preserving peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The visit was realized at the highest level, as evidenced by the composition of the delegation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which includes, in addition to the Minister of Defence, General Onno Eichelsheim, Chief of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The arrival of the leadership of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sarajevo at this level testifies to the strong respect that friendly Netherlands attaches to bilateral cooperation and continuous support for Bosnia and Herzegovina.