Bosnia’s Minister of Defence Sifet Podzic met his Serbian counterpart Nebojsa Stefanovic on Friday, as part of the official visit of the delegation of the BiH Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.

Topics discussed during the official meeting included bilateral defence cooperation, regional security challenges, and contributions to international peace and security. The current challenges of the two ministries of defence and cooperation in the coming period were also discussed.

In addition to expressing gratitude for the hospitality to Minister Stefanovic, Minister Podzic noted the successful bilateral defence cooperation, especially in the field of training of the staff of the BiH Armed Forces (AF) at the University of Defence in Belgrade, training in the training centres of the AF BiH and the Serbian Army as well as joint exercises. The two also discussed the planned tactical exercise “Manjaca 2021” this year, which the AF BiH and the Serbian Army will implement this year from October 9 to 16 at the military training ground in Manjaca, BiH, which is an indicator of developing good bilateral cooperation between the two ministries.

Serbia’s Stefanovic, expressed his satisfaction with the joint work on improving the military-military, military educational and military health cooperation, as well as the fact that Minister Podzic will attend the Saturday ceremony to promote the youngest officers of the Serbian Army, among whom there will be seven BiH cadets, educated at the Military Academy. He also expressed satisfaction with the realization of a joint exercise of the armies of the two countries at Manjaca.

During his visit to the Republic of Serbia, Minister Podzic also visited the University of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, where he met with cadets and participants in other training of the Armed Forces of BiH who are being trained at this institution, the statement said.