Minister Helez receives Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister in Sarajevo

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez, together with his deputy Slaven Galić, today received in an official visit in Sarajevo a delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Swiss Confederation, led by Federal Councillor for Defence, Civil Protection and Sport Martin Pfister.

The meeting was also attended by Swiss State Secretary for Security Policy Markus Mäder, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation Gabriele Derightti, as well as Assistant Ministers of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zoran Šajinović, Dženan Redžo and Mišo Božićković.


Photo: Patria

Also present were the military advisor to the Swiss Defence Minister, Major General Melchior Stoller, the commander of the Swiss training centre for peace operations SWISSINT, Colonel Christoph Fehr, the non-resident military attaché of the Swiss Confederation, Colonel Reto Rutsch, and other associates.

The interlocutors discussed the support that Bosnia and Herzegovina receives from the Swiss Confederation, both through the deployment of members of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to various courses and seminars in Switzerland and through various donations, as well as through Switzerland's contribution to the work of the Strategic Committee for the Disposal of Surplus Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Particular discussion was held on the importance of the EUFOR mission Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the current security situation in Europe and the impact of that situation on the Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The interlocutors noted that the bilateral military cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Switzerland is progressing well and that it should be further developed.

Special emphasis was placed on the assistance of Swiss mobile training teams in the segment of safe transport of ammunition and weapons, and forklift management, through which 491 members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina were trained.

Switzerland also donated 50 pallet trucks and 79 forklifts.

Both Minister Helez and Deputy Minister Galić expressed gratitude for this Swiss support and expressed confidence that similar projects will continue.


Photo: Patria

- The Swiss Confederation, with its cantonal structure, its multicultural and multinational composition, in many ways has similarities with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I am convinced that we in Bosnia and Herzegovina can follow the Swiss example and, based on those experiences, create a country for all who live in it.

Switzerland's support is important to us, as it supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also recognises the genocide in Srebrenica and thus shows the right path towards truth and reconciliation - said Helez.

Swiss Minister Pfister emphasised that the stability of the region is of great interest to Switzerland and that it supports Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration, with the aim of building a peaceful and cohesive democratic society.

- We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will continue to advocate for peace, security, progress and good governance throughout the region.

We sincerely wish to express our solidarity on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, with special sympathy for the families of the victims - concluded the Swiss Defence Minister.