The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković participated on June 24, at the invitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in Luxembourg at the meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU member states and the ministers of foreign affairs of the Western Balkan countries within session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).
The meeting discussed cooperation and challenges in foreign and security policy and the gradual integration of the countries of the region when it comes to compliance with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU.
In his address during the meeting, Minister Konaković referred to the challenges that require a unique response in the context of geopolitical and economic relations due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina deeply sympathizes with the suffering of the Ukrainian people. When it comes to helping Ukraine, the minister emphasized that Ukraine’s resilience is not only its own, but is integrally connected to the security and stability of the entire European continent. He assessed that our region is no stranger to malicious external influences, especially from Russia, whose goal is to destabilize the EU’s neighborhood and question the enlargement process through disinformation, political interference and other subversive activities. He called for a united stand against such influences.
He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina has recently fully aligned its foreign policy with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU. He assessed that this is a significant challenge, given that this alignment has caused many internal problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that the destructive policy of Republika Srpska does not support BiH’s stance against Russia and does not condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He then stated that the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik has already visited the President of Russia Putin twice this year and the President of Belarus Lukashenka once.
He expressed his firm belief that Dodik’s views, which he takes after these visits, are the main reason for BiH’s difficulties on the European path.
Although it is about the personal interests of the President of the RS, he warned about the seriousness of the situation because in this way Russia is establishing a foothold in the Republika Srpska, in the very heart of Europe, BHRT writes.
In the following, he referred to the EU enlargement process, citing gradual integration as one of the instruments for speeding up the integration process, i.e. stronger economic integration in the region.
During his visit to Luxembourg, and on the sidelines of the meeting of the Council for Foreign Affairs of the EU, it is planned that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Elmedin Konaković will participate tonight in the reception organized by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri for the participants of the meeting, and then in the informal dinner hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and shops of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Javier Bethel.
