The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković met today, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2026, with the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defense in the Department of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Defense of Ireland Thomas Byrne.
The interlocutors emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ireland nurture friendly and partnership relations, based on mutual trust and support. During the meeting, they discussed priorities and common interests, especially in the context of Ireland’s upcoming presidency of the European Union, which will begin on July 1, 2026.
Minister Byrne reminded that the Irish presidency of the European Union will be marked by the strengthening of the Union’s resilience and responses to current geopolitical challenges, as well as the intensive implementation of the EU legislative program during the second half of 2026. He pointed out that the expansion of the European Union will be one of the most important priorities of the Irish presidency and confirmed Ireland’s readiness to continue supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path, with full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state. He also announced an upcoming visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing Ireland’s commitment to further strengthening political dialogue and partnership relations.
Minister Konaković thanked Minister Byrne for the continuous support that Ireland provides to Bosnia and Herzegovina and expressed readiness to further strengthen mutual cooperation. He particularly emphasized the importance of the partnership with Ireland as a country that actively contributes to shaping European policies in the areas of defense, security and stability of the European neighborhood.
Minister Konaković emphasized the strong commitment of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue the European path, stressing that this is the strategic goal of the country and the key framework for its long-term stability and development. He expressed his belief that the priorities expected from Bosnia and Herzegovina will be fulfilled by March of this year, including the adoption of two key laws, the Law on the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, as well as the appointment of the chief negotiator. He also emphasized that the full integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with the other countries of the Western Balkans, into the European Union is a fundamental factor in the long-term security and stability of the entire region and Europe. The European path, as he assessed, remains the strategic priority of Bosnia and Herzegovina despite numerous challenges, including the complex constitutional arrangement and political blockades that, according to him, are produced by the SNSD and the former president of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik. Such rhetoric and actions do not represent only an individual approach, but a broader political concept followed by the entire SNSD structure, despite the clear messages of international partners and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The minister emphasized that it is important to clearly point out this kind of rhetoric and the policies that arise from it, reminding that it was precisely with this goal in mind that we sent Milorad Dodik’s lobbying contract to all relevant institutions and officials for inspection, which unequivocally shows the intentions and goals of such political activity, and that it is of crucial importance that such destructive political approaches be stopped in the interest of the stability and European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
