By Us Secretary

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 24. At the Ministry
of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a meeting was held between
Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers of BiH and Minister of
Defense Zukan Helez and a delegation of the United Kingdom
Parliament, Trend reports.

The delegation consisted of Paul Waugh, Reg Pula, and Philippe

Minister Helez welcomed the guests, emphasizing that the
presence of parliamentarians from one of the world’s most
influential democratic states testifies to the shared commitment to
building stable and long-term relations between our countries.

During the meeting, discussions focused on joint projects and
initiatives contributing to the strengthening of the defence system
of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Special attention was given to the
appointment of Mrs. Holly Campbell-Stevens as Special Advisor for
Defence Reform, as well as cooperation on drafting a new
implementation plan for the 2025–2028 period within the framework
of the “Women, Peace, and Security” (WPS) initiative.

Support from the United Kingdom in the area of human security
was also discussed, including the establishment of a Centre of
Excellence for training and the renovation of a facility at the
“Mika Bosnić” barracks in Manjača for the needs of the Peace
Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC). Continuous UK
assistance was highlighted, especially through its role as the lead
nation in the AIRMEDEVAC (air medical evacuation) project, as well
as within NATO’s Defence Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI).

The great importance of UK support in the field of education was
underlined, as many cadets and members of the Armed Forces of BiH
have graduated from prestigious military academies and schools in
the UK, with new participants already enrolled.

Minister Helez informed the guests that the Ministry of Defence
and the Armed Forces of BiH continue to implement the Development
and Modernisation Plan of the Armed Forces of BiH 2017–2027, along
with activities under the Reform Programme and the Planning and
Review Process (PARP), with a total estimated value of 25–30
million euros.

Minister Zukan Helez also briefed the UK Parliament delegation
on the malign influence of the Russian Federation at various levels
of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He stressed that this
influence is reflected in political, economic, and security
segments, highlighting the importance of continuous international
support and cooperation in strengthening the resilience of state
institutions and preserving the country’s stability.

“Such visits are not just formal meetings, they are proof that
Bosnia and Herzegovina has sincere and reliable friends who
understand our strategic importance, but also our potential as a
stable and secure partner within the Euro-Atlantic community,”
Minister Helez emphasized.

In his remarks, Paul Waugh praised the contribution of the Armed
Forces of BiH to international missions, with a special focus on
their engagement in Afghanistan, underlining their professionalism,
dedication, and efficiency. He also reiterated the United Kingdom’s
full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the importance of international
cooperation in maintaining regional stability. Waugh particularly
voiced strong support for initiatives aimed at reducing the malign
influence of the Russian Federation in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
underlining the importance of joint efforts to strengthen the
resilience of the state and its institutions.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Helez thanked the members of
the delegation for their visit and the UK’s continuous support in
strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defence capacities. Their
visit represents a strong message of support to Bosnia and
Herzegovina and a confirmation of the excellent bilateral relations
our country enjoys with the United Kingdom.