SARAJEVO: Colleagues and members of the FBiH Government at the commemoration for Salko Bukvarević

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A commemoration for the late federal minister for veterans' affairs and disabled veterans of the defensive-liberation war, Salko Bukvarević, has begun in the building of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH in Sarajevo. Due to declared measures, only 50 people could attend the commemoration. 

The commemoration is attended by the member of the Presidency of BiH, Šefik Džaferović, and the Prime Minister of the FBiH Government, Fadil Novalić, as well as his comrades-in-arms and fellow ministers. A Fatiha and a minute of silence were observed in honor of the deceased Bukvarević. 

A book of condolences has also been opened for all citizens and employees of federal bodies to sign.

A commemoration will also be held today in Tuzla at the Bosnian Cultural Center, and after the commemoration, the farewell, funeral prayer, and burial of Minister Bukvarević will take place in the courtyard of the Džindić mosque in Tuzla.

The Federal Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Disabled Veterans of the Defensive-Liberation War, Salko Bukvarević, passed away on July 29 at the Clinic for Lung Diseases Podhrastovi of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo due to complications from coronavirus. 

Novalić emphasized that "late Salko Bukvarević was a true son of Bosnia and Herzegovina. One of those quiet but extremely valuable sons of our country."

"Modesty and unobtrusiveness were, among other things, a reflection of his good upbringing. Bosnia and Herzegovina was as valuable to him as his honest mining family, which raised him in the spirit of true human values. Those who stood shoulder to shoulder with Salko in the most difficult times for the defense of our country testify to his bravery. Salko proved his patriotism not only on the battlefield but in everything he did until the end of his life," said the federal prime minister.

He recalled Bukvarević's words that "our lasting task is to care for these families, because their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters gave the most they could for the defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina – their lives. He clearly emphasized that they are the ones who defended all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the thousand-year tradition of life in these areas."

"Respected Mrs. Zemka, you and your son Bekir and daughter Ajla, our Salko's parents, mother Raša and father Ibrahim, as well as all members of the Bukvarević family, be forever proud of the late Salko. You have every reason to be. I am proud of Salko, I will never forget the time we spent together, his honesty and value. May eternal peace be upon dear Salko," Novalić concluded.