Slovenia firmly supports Bosnia and Herzegovina on its Euro-Atlantic integration path, Slovenian Defence Minister Marjan Sarec said in Sarajevo on Tuesday in a meeting with his Bosnian counterpart Zukan Helez.

“We are happy with the progress that was made with the help of the funds allocated through the European Peace Facility, when aid measures for demining and strengthening of capacities of the Armed Forces of BiH were approved,” said Sarec.

He also prasied the traditionally good relations between the two countries and thanked the Bosnian institutions for the help they provided in August this year when Slovenia experienced the worst flooding in history.

Sarec also spoke about the implementation of various development projects across BiH with an aim of better preparing local communities for successful participation in European in international projects, including the civil-military projects that will be aligned with specific local needs with LOT houses working within EUFOR as a key link with local communities.

“Slovenia remains fully committed to the EUFOR Mission, which we consider a key element of security and stabilisation in the country. I particularly welcome the recent extension of her mandate by the UN Security Council. The security challenges we face now can best be solved by building strong relationships and partnerships, working together and sharing common values. No country can effectively deal with global challenges on its own,” the minister stressed.

Sarec also said that he is happy that Slovenia and BiH can continue to build friendly relations, and thanked Helez for the hospitality.

Answering a question about the security situation in the region, Slovenian minister said that he also had a meeting with the EUFOR commander and the situation is such that everyone should strive to make efforts to ensure stability, prosperity, with economic development as the way to a better life, concluded Sarec.