Indonesia's defense minister highlights Bosnia ties with mosque visit

hartono · Jan 13, 2026

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (center) visits the Soeharto Mosque in Sarajevo during an official trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.(ANTARA/Ho-Humas Kemhan)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin visited the Soeharto Mosque in Sarajevo during an official trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, underscoring Jakarta’s humanitarian legacy and expanding defense ties.

In a statement received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday, the ministry said the visit reflected Indonesia’s historical solidarity and humanitarian commitment to Bosnia following the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.

“The mosque was built on the initiative of the Indonesian government as moral and humanitarian support for the Bosnian people during post-war recovery,” Defense Ministry Information Chief Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait said.

Rico said the project symbolized Indonesia’s concern for Bosnia’s reconstruction and its long-standing engagement beyond diplomatic channels during the post-conflict period.

The mosque also reflects Indonesia’s role, particularly under former President Soeharto, in peace diplomacy and international solidarity during Bosnia’s recovery from war, he said.

Rico added that Indonesia consistently supported conflict resolution in Bosnia and Herzegovina through diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, and multilateral cooperation during the turbulent 1990s.

Through the mosque visit, Rico said Indonesia aimed to further strengthen bilateral relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina across political, humanitarian, and cultural dimensions.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic partnerships, extending beyond defense cooperation to concrete contributions toward peace and regional stability, he said.

During the trip, Sjafrie also sought to expand military cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of Indonesia’s broader defense diplomacy agenda.

He met Bosnian Defense Minister Zukan Helez at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Sarajevo on Sunday, according to the Indonesian Defense Ministry.

“The bilateral visit aims to strengthen relations and explore the development of strategic defense cooperation,” the ministry said.

The two ministers discussed regional and global strategic dynamics and emphasized the importance of defense cooperation in maintaining international peace and security.

They agreed to cooperate in areas including defense industry development, military education, technology transfer, and joint support for humanitarian and peace missions under United Nations mandates.

The agreements were formalized in a memorandum of understanding signed by both sides during the meeting, the ministry said.

Officials expressed hope that the cooperation would further strengthen bilateral and military relations between Indonesia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the coming years.