GOGANOVIĆ: NO SUSPENSION OF COOPERATION WITH SERBIA, SERB PRESIDENCY MEMBER WILL NOT ALLOW IT

BANJA LUKA, May 16 /SRNA/ - Deputy Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers Aleksandar Goganović told SRNA that Minister Zukan Helez is not entitled to suspend cooperation with Serbia, as he announced at a press conference in Sarajevo, which the Serb Member and Chairwoman of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, who is responsible for foreign policy and defence, will never allow.

"This is yet another irresponsible move by colleague Helez, as the messages we receive from the international community emphasize the need for strong cooperation with neighbouring countries, which contributes to peace and stability in this part of Europe. A peaceful and stable Balkans contributes to peace in Europe," Goganović emphasized. He clarified that Helez is not entitled to terminate military-bilateral cooperation with Serbia as it is not within his jurisdiction, but rather under the jurisdiction of the BiH Presidency. "The Serb Member and Chairwoman of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović will never allow that. On the other hand, Helez can cancel trainings and courses, which will not harm our cooperation with Serbia," Goganović concluded. Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers Zukan Helez says that he had ordered the suspension of all activities within the framework of bilateral cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Serbia because, as he claims, Minister Bratislav Gašić remained seated during the playing of the BiH national anthem at a ceremony in the Kozara barracks in Banja Luka.