The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers, Staša Košarac, has called for an investigation into allegations that the Federation of BiH (FBiH) is illegally producing and selling drones, following statements by Defense Minister Zukan Helez.
- “Based on Helez’s claim that drones are being produced and exported from BiH, one can only conclude that drones are being illegally produced in FBiH and that the Federation is engaging in illegal drone trade,” Košarac stated.
Call for transparency and accountability
Košarac emphasized that his ministry is solely responsible for implementing laws on foreign trade in arms, military equipment, and special-purpose goods, as well as laws on the production of arms and military equipment.
He revealed that after Helez’s repeated statements about drone production in BiH, his ministry had requested information from FBiH authorities in November last year about whether any production was registered and why such information had not been shared with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations. However, no response has been received.
- “Has any company been registered for drone production, and why weren’t we informed?” Košarac questioned.
Demand for investigation
Košarac announced that he will formally request an investigation, noting that based on Helez’s statements, illegal drone production appears to be taking place in FBiH.
He also expressed concern over Helez’s claim that the process operates under “secret contracts,” asserting that no such contracts exist.
- “The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations has never issued a permit. I urge the competent authorities to investigate these claims and hold those responsible accountable. I call on the Parliamentary Assembly to form an investigative committee,” Košarac stated.
He further confirmed that his ministry lacks any official data on the matter and that FBiH institutions have ignored requests for information since Helez’s initial statements six months ago.
- “I appeal to investigative authorities and the parliament to examine all facts and address this issue. As minister, I can confirm that the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations has been ignored by federal institutions regarding the requested information,” Košarac concluded.
Helez has reiterated his previous claims about drone production and their export to multiple countries, while maintaining that the details remain classified.
Source: RTRS
