Turkey supports stability and peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as its path towards NATO membership and will continue to strengthen cooperation with the country, Turkey’s Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, said after meeting with his Bosnian counterpart, Sifet Podzic, on Monday.

“As our President Erdogan always emphasizes: the people of BiH are one people for us. We pay great attention to stability and peace in BiH. We give great support as the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Turkey on the road to NATO. We use every opportunity to expand and strengthen cooperation in the field of defence,” Akar said.

The Turkish minister rejected the narrative of Bosnia’s disintegration or secession of parts of the country.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and we call on all parties to react calmly, patiently and with dialogue. We suggest that the existing problems that are happening be resolved peacefully because that is the best way for all peoples in BiH. We are always ready to analyze any of your requests and help as much as we can,” he said.

Podzic pointed out that Turkey, as a member of the NATO alliance, greatly supports BiH’s Defence Ministry by providing schooling at academies in the Republic of Turkey.

“Currently, there are 89 members there and this is the largest contingent that is studying somewhere abroad. Another thing is the modernization of the BiH Armed Forces. In March, we signed an agreement worth 200 million Turkish lira on the purchase of military resources, and we expect its realisation soon,” Podzic said.

F.Z./N1

F.Z./N1

F.Z./N1

F.Z./N1

F.Z./N1