Minister of Defence of BiH Helez with Deputies Galić and Goganović Receives Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Hasanov

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez, with deputies Slaven Galić and Aleksandar Goganović, received a delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, for an official visit, headed by the Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant General Zakir Hasanov.

Among other associates, the host delegation included the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH, Lieutenant General Gojko Knežević, with his deputy for resources, Major General Mirsad Ahmić, and the Assistant Minister of Defence of BiH for International Cooperation, Zoran Šajinović, while the delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan included the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to BiH, H.E. Vilayət Quliyev, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Major General Elnur Kazimov, and other officials.

The high-level delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan is on a multi-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the official meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence of BiH was used to sign a Letter of Intent on bilateral cooperation between the two ministries of defence, which has been formalized for the first time. The document was signed by Minister Helez and the Azerbaijani Minister, General Hasanov, with the emphasis that the recent visit of Minister Helez to Azerbaijan initiated the development of this cooperation.

At the meeting itself, the delegations discussed possibilities for bilateral cooperation in the field of defence, geopolitical challenges, and opportunities for cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries. All interlocutors agreed that the exchange of experiences from previous armed conflicts can be a good basis for developing defence cooperation, and cooperation in the field of demining was also highlighted as particularly important.

"Today we signed a Letter of Intent whereby both sides express their readiness to, in accordance with the relevant regulations of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Azerbaijan, implement the legal procedures for concluding the Agreement on Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of defence.

A Plan for bilateral military cooperation between the two countries for the next year was also signed, which concretizes joint activities in the field of defence. The plan includes joint training, exchange of experiences, and visits with the aim of strengthening partnership relations and contributing to regional and international security," said Minister Helez. He particularly emphasized that cooperation in the field of the defence industry has significant potential for concluding new contracts and increasing production, which would contribute to the development of defence capabilities and the strengthening of economic ties between our countries.

"Since taking office, I have dedicated myself to strengthening the international position of the Ministry of Defence of BiH and establishing new bilateral cooperations with numerous partner countries, thereby significantly improving the visibility, capacity, and role of our country in international defence structures, in the interest of peace, stability, and security in the region and beyond," concluded Helez.

The Azerbaijani Minister of Defence, General Hasanov, emphasized that efforts should be made for the broadest possible cooperation in the interest of the citizens of both countries.

"Both our countries have gone through war, and based on these similar experiences, we can build our cooperation.

We want Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina to build ever stronger relations on a broader level, which was shown by the fact that our President Ilham Aliyev has already visited Bosnia and Herzegovina," concluded General Hasanov.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of Defence of BiH for Policy and Plans, Galić, expressed satisfaction with the establishment of military cooperation with Azerbaijan. He emphasized that war experiences have slowed down the economic development of these countries and that it would be important to develop stronger cooperation in the field of economic relations based on this cooperation, for mutual benefit.

The Deputy Minister of Defence of BiH for Resource Management, Goganović, added that both countries are facing geopolitical challenges, and therefore it is important to cooperate as best as possible to ensure peace, stability, and security in the wider region of Europe.

At the end of the meeting, the Assistant Minister of Defence of BiH Šajinović and the Head of the Sector for International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Brigadier Elchin Abdullayev, signed the plan for bilateral military cooperation for the next year.