The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, met today in Sarajevo with the representative in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States of America, Claudia Tenney. They discussed the current political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, the country’s economic prospects and the further strengthening of the strategic partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America.
Minister Konaković thanked for the long-term and strong support of the United States of America for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He pointed out that the American engagement remains extremely important for the long-term stability and security of the country and the region, the protection of its constitutional order and the strengthening of functional state institutions. Congresswoman Tenney’s visit, as emphasized, represents an important signal of continued American interest and presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Minister Konaković emphasized that the current political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an ethnic crisis or a conflict between its peoples, but above all a geopolitical problem related to external influences and attempts to instrumentalize existing political and ethnic divisions for the realization of broader strategic interests.
In this context, he warned about the long-standing secessionist policy of SNSD president Milorad Dodik, the continuous undermining of state institutions and his political reliance on Moscow, stressing that such actions in practice serve the geopolitical interests of the Russian Federation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. He emphasized that such a policy is not in the interest of the citizens living in the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska, nor the Serbian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Instrumentalizing ethnic issues in order to create political crises, weaken state institutions and block Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European and Euro-Atlantic path, he pointed out, corresponds to Moscow’s interest in preserving the area of instability and its own political influence in the Western Balkans.
Minister Konaković emphasized that such a policy cannot be presented as pro-Western, regardless of attempts to create a different image through international lobbying and the spread of misleading narratives. The way forward must be based on stability, economic development and the real interests of citizens, and not on the use of ethnic issues for the realization of other people’s geopolitical interests and the creation of new divisions and crises.
A significant part of the conversation was devoted to economic development, strengthening regional cooperation and trade relations, and possibilities for attracting new investments. The interlocutors pointed out that stronger economic connectivity, removal of obstacles to trade and the creation of a stable and predictable business environment represent one of the most important paths to greater prosperity and long-term stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Western Balkans.
Economic and investment opportunities that can open new perspectives for young people and contribute to reducing their departure from the country were discussed in particular. In this context, experiences were also exchanged about the Bosnian diaspora in the United States, whose knowledge, professional experience, business connections and investment potential represent a significant resource for the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a stronger economic connection between the two countries.
An important topic of discussion was energy security, with a special focus on the implementation of the Southern Gas Interconnection. Minister Konaković emphasized that the diversification of sources and routes of supply reduces energy dependence and strengthens the overall security and resilience of the country, which is why the Southern Gas Interconnection is a strategic interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He thanked the strong American support for the realization of this project.
The interlocutors confirmed the importance of continuing close cooperation and further strengthening the partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States of America, especially in the areas of security, economy, energy, trade and investments. Minister Konaković pointed out that the strong political partnership of the two countries should increasingly be turned into concrete development and economic opportunities for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
