Colonel Nešić meets Helez: Will a joint exercise of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of BiH be held soon?

(Patria) - Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez on Friday spoke at the Ministry of Defence of BiH with the military attaché of the Republic of Serbia in BiH, Colonel Saša Nešić.

The meeting discussed bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries, as well as modalities for expanding and improving military cooperation. Minister Helez informed Colonel Nešić about the current activities of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH and emphasised the priorities of this institution's work in the coming period.

During the talks, it was noted that the military cooperation between the two countries so far has been at a commendable level, especially in the area of education and training of members of the Armed Forces of BiH in military schools in the Republic of Serbia, as well as members of the Serbian Armed Forces in the Training Centre for Peace Support Operations of the Armed Forces of BiH in Butmir near Sarajevo.

Colonel Nešić pointed out that Serbia advocates for peace and security in the region and the world and expressed expectations that military cooperation between BiH and Serbia will further expand to include joint training and exercises of units from both armies.

Minister Helez emphasised that BiH and its population have inseparable ties with its neighbours and that mutual cooperation should be further developed for mutual benefit. He stressed that BiH considers anyone who respects its territorial integrity and sovereignty a friend.

"It is crucial to restore mutual trust and constantly work on it," said Minister Helez.

"Every image of togetherness is stronger than any words."

The interlocutors also emphasised the need for closer cooperation within existing regional initiatives, which will further improve the overall environment and accelerate the dynamics of achieving the strategic goals of the region's countries and economic progress.

The delegation of the Ministry of Defence of BiH also included the Head of the Cabinet of the Minister of Defence of BiH, Salko Beba, and Senka Zeljaja, Head of the Department for Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation in the Sector for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence of BiH.

A joint exercise of the Armed Forces of BiH and the Serbian Armed Forces was supposed to be held from 9 to 16 October 2021 on Manjača, but the then Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sifet Podžić, postponed the exercise due to a large number of coronavirus infections in Serbia. At that time, the dismissal of Minister Podžić was initiated, but the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH did not vote for it.

Whether a joint exercise of the two countries' armies will be held soon is not yet known, but Colonel Nešić's visit is significant.