Turkish Defence Minister Nurretin Caniklij said, Wednesday, in Sarajevo that Turkey continues to actively support Bosnia and Herzegovina in its EU and NATO integration process. He conveyed the Turkish President’s message saying he wants further strengthening of bilateral relations.

“I believe Bosnia will soon be a full EU and NATO member state,” Caniklij said during the Turkish Defence Ministry’s visit to Bosnia’s Defence Ministry and Armed Forces.

He stressed the importance of the geopolitical position of Bosnia in the region and globally.

“If there’s no stability in Bosnia, there is no stability in the Balkans and if there’s no stability in the Balkans, there’s no stability in Europe and in the world,” he said, stressing the importance of institutional engagement in maintaining peace, stability and security in Bosnia.

He conveyed Turkey’s determination to continue to develop relations with Bosnia and its defence structures on the basis of mutual partnership and respect.

Bosnia’s Defence Minister Marina Pendes said the talks between the two delegations were constructive and fruitful, expressing readiness to continue intensive cooperation between the ministries.

“We cannot forget the Turkish assistance which is constant when it comes to lobbying for Bosnia and our country’s NATO Membership Activation Plan,” Pendes said, expressing her expectation that Bosnia will receive a positive message at the following NATO meeting in Brussels concerning this matter.

Interlocutors exchanged opinions on further activities in the education of officers and signing of a new agreement (a bilateral cooperation plan), including cooperation in the arms industry sector, in the context of Bosnian Defence Ministry’s support for the development of this industry in the country.