Bosnia’s Defence Minister Zukan Helez met in Sarajevo with his Hungarian counterpart Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, during Hungarian Delegation’s visit on Tuesday.

Helez said they discussed many topics during the meeting.

“We talked about some challenges that await us that are already on the scene. These are, primarily, the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, then the conflict in the Middle East and the expansion of that conflict. We have expressed our concern when it comes to that,” said Helez after a meeting with Hungarian Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

Among the challenges that await the two countries this year, he mentioned this year's elections in the European Union, which are very important for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary, or rather for the whole of Europe and the elections in the United States and Russia.

He stated that the Hungarian Minister said they support Bosnia and Herzegovina for full membership in NATO.

Helez added that he will make sure that the members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are educated in Hungary.

“We are here today to confirm that we fully support the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and your ambitions towards the European Union. Hungary will take over the presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year and this will give us a good opportunity to promote EU enlargement. One of Hungary’s biggest priorities is that the area of the Western Balkans and Bosnia and Herzegovina in that area will be safe in the future,” said Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

Hungary is very proud that members of their armed forces will be deployed in the Althea mission in BiH. As the Minister said, they are also proud of the fact that a very competent general will take command of this operation in the next two years.

He stated that the general who takes over the command of the EUFOR Althea Mission, will do so very professionally and respecting the highest military standards.

“We have increased the presence of our soldiers in the EUFOR Althea Mission, but we have also increased the capabilities of our soldiers on the ground, adding a helicopter unit and a medical aid unit,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky said.

He recalled that Hungary has been a member of NATO for 25 years and a member of the European Union for 20 years. He also reminded that they have been present in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 20 years.