The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, participated on September 1, 2026 in the Bled Strategic Forum, which this year is being held under the title “The Power of Shaping the Future”. During the Forum, he participated in discussions about the European perspective of the Western Balkans, political and security challenges, regional integration, energy and economic security, and specific issues that follow the process of the region’s approach to the European Union.
At the invitation of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Tona Kajzer, Minister Konaković participated in a working breakfast with the ministers of the countries of the region. The focus of the conversation was the next steps in the process of enlargement of the European Union and the geopolitical significance of a stronger connection of the Western Balkans with the EU. Minister Konaković emphasized that the future of the Western Balkans undoubtedly belongs to the European Union, but that the European integration process must be faster, more credible and more predictable. Enlargement, as he pointed out, is one of the EU’s most powerful geopolitical instruments because through reforms, stronger institutions, European standards and economic integration, it strengthens the stability and security of the European continent in the long term. He warned that delays and long-term uncertainty leave room for actors who seek to weaken the European orientation of the region. In particular, he pointed to the actions of the Russian Federation through political divisions, disinformation and destabilizing activities, as well as connections with domestic political actors who, by blocking institutions and reforms, slow down Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path. He emphasized that therefore the integration of the Western Balkans is not only a question of the future of the region, but a strategic interest and a question of the long-term security of the whole of Europe.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Konaković also met with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Daniel Lawton, which continued the talks held in mid-July at the State Department in Washington. They discussed the political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the functioning of state institutions and reform processes, as well as attempts to weaken the constitutional order and institutions of the state. Special attention is paid to strengthening economic relations, trade and American investments, as well as energy security. Minister Konaković emphasized the strategic importance of the implementation of the Southern Gas Interconnection and the diversification of energy supply sources and directions, thanking the United States of America for its strong support for this project, as well as its continued support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Minister Konaković also spoke with the director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, Tālis Linkaits, about the position of professional drivers from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of the rules for staying in the Schengen area and the application of the entry and exit system (EES). He stressed the need to find a sustainable and practical solution that would respect the specifics of international road transport and the fact that professional drivers enter the EU to perform work, with full respect for security and border procedures. It was emphasized that restrictions on their mobility can have direct consequences on domestic carriers, supply chains, transport costs and foreign trade exchange with the European Union. Minister Konaković reminded that Bosnia and Herzegovina has already raised this issue before the European institutions and pointed out that the approach to the single European market must be accompanied by the gradual removal of practical obstacles to trade, transport and professional mobility.
In Bled, Minister Konaković also met with the participants of the program Enter:Change Forum – “BiH’s Visionary Voices: Leading the Change”, which gathers young politicians and activists from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the conversation, he emphasized the importance of stronger involvement of young people in political and social processes and creating space for generations ready to take responsibility for the future of the country. He pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs people who, with knowledge, ideas and engagement, will build cooperation beyond existing divisions, and that institutions have a responsibility to open space for young people to participate in the processes in which the future of the country is decided.
Minister Konaković used the participation in the Bled Strategic Forum for an intensive political dialogue on issues that directly connect the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina with its security, economic development, energy independence and stronger connection with the European Union and key international partners.
