On October 1, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, participated in the ministerial meeting of the Berlin Process in Pržno, held at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Ervin Ibrahimović. The meeting, within the framework of Montenegrin’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process, brought together representatives of the countries of the Western Balkans, countries participating in the process, the European Union and regional organizations.
In his address, Minister Konaković called on the European Union for a concrete response to the institutional glorification of Ratko Mladić in Serbia and more decisive support for the unblocking of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. He emphasized that the protection of European principles and opposition to Russian influence and political obstruction are two key tests of the credibility of the European Union in the region.
We are transcribing Minister Konaković’s speech in its entirety:
While we are sitting here, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the employees of the Srebrenica Memorial Center are exposed to serious institutional pressures from the police of Republika Srpska, which has no jurisdiction over the Memorial Center, the place where the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica are buried.
All this is happening in a wider social and political atmosphere characterized by the denial of genocide and the glorification of convicted war criminals.
At the same time, Milorad Dodik goes to Moscow and receives public support from Vladimir Putin before the elections, while Ursula von der Leyen decides not to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina because of the elections.
This is our reality today: Russia is present and actively supporting its allies. Europe is waiting once again.
We have gathered to discuss the future of the Western Balkans. I wish I could begin this address by speaking about roads, investments, energy, and opportunities for our young people.
But to speak of the future, we must first look honestly at the present.
For years, we have been saying that the future of the Western Balkans lies in Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina believes this. We believe that countries once torn apart by war can become good neighbors; that cooperation can replace mistrust; and that our children need not live with the fears we lived with. But such a future must rest on solid foundations.
A few weeks ago, Ratko Mladić died while serving a life sentence for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. What followed in Serbia went far beyond private mourning. His body was transported on a Serbian government plane, accompanied by the Minister of Justice. Members of the Serbian Armed Forces carried his coffin, draped in the Serbian flag.
Here, the issue of responsibility cannot be separated from the issue of jurisdiction. Article 17 of the Law on the Serbian Army expressly stipulates that the President of the Republic decides on the use of the Army and orders its engagement. Aleksandar Vučić cannot exclude himself from the participation of the Serbian Army when the decision on its engagement is within his jurisdiction. And when the country headed by him honors a man convicted of genocide with his plane, officials, army and flag, the responsibility for such an action extends to the very top of the state.
We must not reduce this to another dispute between Sarajevo and Belgrade. Fundamental principles are at stake here.
Genocide is not a matter of different interpretations. Final judgments of international courts are not just one of the possible versions of history. And the dignity of the victims must not depend on political interests and calculations.
A few days ago I spoke with the Mothers of Srebrenica. I looked at the faces of the women who buried their children. How can I speak here about reconciliation and good neighborly relations, and then return home and stand before them, with what words can I explain our silence? How could any of us do that?
Today, the European Union faces two big tests when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The first is whether, after the actions of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian authorities regarding the funeral of Ratko Mladić, they will really act, or will everything again end in statements, condemnations and reactions on social networks.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has fully harmonized with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. That is precisely why it is extremely important for us that the European Union, both to itself and to us, shows that it really defends the principles on which it was founded and that it stands behind them.
If there is no concrete action in cases like Ratko Mladić’s funeral, it is justified to ask how strong these fundamental European principles really are today. And if the European Union itself does not defend them when they are openly questioned, then the question arises: why is it expected of us to fully align with its Common Foreign and Security Policy?
The second big test is the quick and adequate response of the European Union to Russian influence and the blocking of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path.
During the aggression against my country, the world watched the killing and suffering of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina for too long. An embargo on the import of arms was imposed on us, while the response of the international community for years was mainly limited to statements, appeals and condemnations. A serious military intervention followed only in 1995, when the genocide in Srebrenica had already been committed and when a huge number of people had already lost their lives. It was a late reply.
The Dayton Peace Agreement stopped the war and brought peace. At the same time, he established a very complex political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with mechanisms that can be used to create serious political blockades.
Today, these mechanisms are used to prevent the adoption of important decisions on the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Yesterday, Milorad Dodik was in Moscow again, together with Sava Minic, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they met with Vladimir Putin.
In front of Putin, Dodik stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina did not introduce sanctions against Russia due to the opposition of Republika Srpska, that there will be no agreement on the introduction of visas for Russian citizens and that he is opposed to integration into NATO.
These are not our assumptions. These are public statements made at a meeting in the Kremlin.
That is why I expect Europe to show that it understands what is really happening. The engagement of the European Union in the very heart of Europe must be more serious and decisive.
Bosnia and Herzegovina needs support to unblock its European path. This is in the interest of all its citizens, including the citizens of the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina who see their future in Europe.
This is precisely why the absence of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina during this regional tour does not send a good message, regardless of the Commission’s explanation that the visit was postponed due to the upcoming elections.
It is not enough to stand aside and observe how Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path is slowed down by political blockades, while those who implement these blockades at the same time openly maintain and deepen ties with Moscow.
The European Union must show leadership.
He must make it clear that the European future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is decided by its citizens and institutions, through democratic processes and in accordance with the criteria for membership in the European Union, and not by Vladimir Putin.
We expect such a message from Europe today.
And one more thing, Marko. The story of the funeral of Rasim Delic, a man who died 15 years ago, before the end of the proceedings against him and before the passing of a final verdict – may serve as a story for the Serbian media, but it is not a serious argument for serious people.
