Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said, “The Republic of Turkey is now followed with envy as the center of peace, security and stability in its region, and is becoming indispensable at the negotiation tables and security architecture with the solution proposals it brings in critical regions and geographies and its contributions to peace and stability.”
Güler visited the Turkish Representative Delegation of the European Union Peace Force Mission (EUFOR) in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Arriving at the Butmir Barracks in the capital, Güler was welcomed by the Head of the Turkish Representative Committee, Colonel Oğuzhan Pehlivan.
Addressing the Turkish soldiers serving here, Minister Güler said that they were going through a period in which tensions turned into conflicts and wars, international challenges reached a high level, and political balances were being rebuilt in this context.
Expressing that they are going through a sensitive period, Güler said:
“Our country is at the center of regional and global developments due to its geopolitical location. With the strategic foresight of our President, our country, which has made significant strides in the military and diplomatic fields in recent years, has begun to assume a game-changing role in its region and the world, and has further strengthened its international position. The Republic of Turkey is now followed with envy as the center of peace, trust and stability in its region, and with the solution proposals it brings in critical regions and geographies and its contributions to peace and stability, it has become an indispensable part of the negotiation tables and security architecture.”
Minister Güler, who stated that they attach great importance to the preservation of peace, security and stability in the Balkans, said, “We are also in close cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is one of our important partners in the Balkans and with which we have deep-rooted friendship and brotherhood ties. As a manifestation of these ties, we continue to strengthen our relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina in all areas, especially defense and security.”
“We stand by the brotherly people of Bosnia and Herzegovina with cultural, educational, health and social projects”
Minister of National Defense Güler noted that the Turkish Armed Forces had contributed to various missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1994 and had successfully continued their mission to support and maintain peace within the scope of EUFOR.
Güler, who emphasized that Turkey has been one of the countries that has contributed the most to the EUFOR Althea Force Mission since its inception, said, “In addition to our unit assigned to the multinational battalion in Sarajevo, we also make significant contributions to the maintenance of security and peace in the region with our liaison and monitoring teams in different cities. At the same time, while providing support to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in various areas, we also provide various trainings to Bosnian military personnel in Turkey. In addition, we stand by the brotherly people of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the cultural, educational, health and social projects we have implemented in cooperation with other public institutions and organizations operating here.”
Minister Güler said that the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they have shared values for centuries, has also given confidence to the people of the country, and that the Turkish soldiers on duty proudly wave the star and crescent flag to be worthy of the love and trust shown to them, and represent Turkey in the best way possible.
Güler stated that he had followed with great satisfaction the devoted and successful activities of his elements in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he had been a great pride and honor in serving as deputy commander in 1994-1995.
Güler, who stated that the superior qualities and capabilities of the Turkish military are closely followed by the personnel of other countries with which they cooperate in the same place, said, “The duty of representing the respect and reputation of our country and the Turkish Armed Forces in the international arena has been entrusted to you, specifically in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The values you possess and the training and courses you have received will allow you to easily fulfill the task entrusted to you. On this occasion, I would like to thank you all for the intense effort and devotion you have shown so far.”
During the visit, Güler also met with EUFOR Commander Major General Laszlo Sticz and NATO Sarajevo Commander Brigadier General Pamela Mcgaha.
Turkey’s Ambassador to Sarajevo, Sadık Babür Girgin, accompanied Minister Güler during the visits.
