Minister Crosetto greets Italian soldiers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

‘In every gesture, in every action, you represent the best of Italy.’

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The Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, during an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, held a cordial meeting with the Bosnian Serb member of the tripartite Presidency, Željka Cvijanović, and with his counterpart from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zukan Helez.

“A valuable opportunity to reaffirm Italy’s commitment to peace and stability not only in the country itself, but across the entire Western Balkans, a region of strategic importance for European security. Italy reiterated its support for the European and Euro-Atlantic integration path.
It was highlighted that the EUFOR Althea mission represents a fundamental pillar for the maintenance of peace: Italy contributes personnel, assets and expertise and will assume command in 2026.
The Italian Ministry of Defence is ready to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, including at the industrial level, by supporting the modernisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s military capabilities,” Minister Crosetto stated.

 

Yesterday, Minister Crosetto met with the soldiers of the Italian contingent: “I am not here for you. I am here for myself, because there is nothing that gives me more strength than spending a few hours with those who represent our country and serve it abroad. In these days, I feel even more strongly the bond with the women and men of our Armed Forces, engaged far from home and from their loved ones. You have my most sincere and grateful thoughts. I know how much sacrifice lies behind every shift of duty, behind every departure, and I know how much this commitment is also shared by your families: service to the Nation is never an individual matter, it is a responsibility shared with those who await you at home. In every gesture, in every behavior, you carry with you the best face of Italy. The Country is proud of you.”

 

The visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina follows the institutional commitments that began on Monday in Lebanon and continued yesterday in Bulgaria, where the Minister met with Italian military personnel and held further institutional meetings.