Bratislav Gasic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)
Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic said on Sept. 22 that his Bosnian counterpart Zukan Helez's comments about a recent military parade in Belgrade revealed a lack of political culture and represented "an extremely negative impulse" in the two countries' relations.
"Helez's comments are as a rule very hostile to Serbia and the Serb people even though there has been nothing on our side to provoke them. Serbia is a sovereign country and is entitled to hold military parades in its capital whenever it deems necessary," Gasic said.
He went on to say that "everything that was showcased was new or fully upgraded" and to describe as "not at all rational" Helez's statements that the Strength of Unity Parade "looked more like a poor historic reenactment than a serious display of contemporary military power" and that Bosnia and Herzegovina was not "afraid of museum weapons," the Serbian ministry said in a press release.
Commenting on Helez's statement that "no serious international officials attended the parade," Gasic called it "a diplomatic own goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina, considering the stature of the individuals" who stood beside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Gasic added that the Serbian military "serves solely to avert aggressors, not to attack anyone."
"The might we have at our disposal is a factor for peace and stability in the region. We strive to develop neighborly relations regardless of obstacles, but Zukan Helez's comments do not at all contribute to that," Gasic said.
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