UK’s Minister of State for the Armed Forces, James Heappey will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, May 22 and meet Bosnia’s Defence Minister Zukan Helez, Chief of Armed Forces General Senad Masovic, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Josip Brkic, as well as the Commanders of EUFOR and NATO HQ Sarajevo to discuss progress towards Euro-Atlantic alignment and to reassure BiH of the United Kingdom’s enduring support for the country’s security and sovereignty.

The UK and Bosnia and Herzegovina work together closely on defence and security issues as allies and trusted friends, the Ministry said.

In his official calls, the Minister will reiterate the UK commitment to supporting the defence reforms and the continued development of the BiH Armed Forces.

“We do this in a number of ways, including through joint training, the provision of equipment and the exchange of expertise in both directions. This all helps to build the overall capability of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their ability to operate alongside other international forces. More than ever in the wake of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, these kinds of defence and security partnerships help to underpin the stability and security of a sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the announcement said.

Minister Heappey will also open the Institute for Geopolitics, Economy and Security conference IGES 2023: Strategic Partnership BiH – Euro-Atlantic World in Sarajevo as a keynote speaker where he will highlight the UK’s partnership with BiH on defence and security matters, both traditional and hybrid.