Trump at the gates of Sarajevo, and political uncertainty is boiling in Sarajevo. Billions in the game between the gas pipeline and friendly meetings in Bakinci. Is the American factor sitting on two chairs? What is on the paper of the Sarajevo and Banja Luka lobbyists? State institutions in a deadlock while everything is shaken by election fever. In whose hands is the cure or is there no cure for this virus? The guest of the Plenum was Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and President of the People and Justice.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, spoke about global conflicts, the role of great powers, the economic consequences of crises, but also internal political relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a clear message that a return to diplomacy is the only way out of increasingly dangerous international tensions.
At the very beginning, he emphasized that the priority of the entire world is to calm down conflicts and stop the suffering of civilians.
“First of all, we all want negotiations and talks to return to the diplomatic table. We do not want to see civilians suffer, especially in such sensitive regions. Such conflicts, especially when major powers are involved, carry a much greater risk than any other wars we have seen around the world,” Konaković said.
He particularly warned of the danger of the conflict spreading and the potential catastrophic consequences.
“The possibility of a nuclear catastrophe, which in such circumstances is not ruled out, makes the situation even more dangerous. One small spark can ignite the entire region, and then beyond – and that is what must worry us all,” he stressed.
Speaking about the economic consequences, he stressed that wars today have global effects.
“The economic disruptions that arise as a result of these conflicts are transmitted in a chain to the entire world. Energy prices, transport, trade – everything is suffering. That is why we all wish for the situation to calm down, more talks and more contact between countries,” he said.
He also pointed to the role of international diplomacy and mediation.
“We see that there are attempts at mediation, including some states that are trying to be a bridge between the conflicting parties. These efforts sometimes yield results, but they are still insufficient. Much more pressure and will are needed to bring both sides to the same table,” he said.
Speaking about the global order, Konaković believes that it cannot change quickly.
“I do not believe that the world order can change so quickly. The United States of America is still the number one power when it comes to military capabilities, but we are also seeing the emergence of new relationships and a balance of power,” he emphasized.
He added that discussions are also taking place within the major powers about responsibility for conflicts.
“It is interesting that a part of the American public and administration are increasingly asking the question of who initiated certain conflicts. This shows that even within large systems there is no unified position,” he said.
He particularly focused on the human dimension of wars.
“War always affects innocent people the most. Civilian suffering, destruction of infrastructure, long-term consequences for society – these are things that remain even after the war formally ends,” he emphasized.
He also recalled the experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We in Bosnia and Herzegovina know very well what war means. We know how difficult it is after everything to sit down at the table and talk with those you were in conflict with yesterday. But we also know that this is the only way forward,” he said.
Speaking about energy, he emphasized the strategic importance of key directions.
“Any instability in the regions through which the key energy routes pass has a huge impact on the global economy. This is especially true of the energy trade, where even the smallest disruption can cause major consequences,” he said.
He emphasized that stability must be a common goal.
“The interests of all countries should be peace, stability, economy and prosperity. Without that, there is no progress for any country,” he said.
In the second part of the address, Konaković referred to political relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the visit of Donald Trump Jr.
“We knew about that visit in advance. It is clear to us that there are certain lobbying activities and that they are not harmless. These are processes that we are closely monitoring,” he said.
He added that such visits can also have positive aspects.
“The arrival of Donald Trump Jr. to Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically to Banja Luka, shows certain trends. Seeing that kind of international interest can be positive, but the context must be carefully analyzed,” he said.
He particularly emphasized the change in rhetoric in political circles.
“It is interesting that in such an environment no one mentioned secession, the closure of the OHR or similar topics. This shows how much the international factor can influence the political discourse,” he pointed out.
He also spoke about the importance of foreign investment, especially American.
“Our goal from the beginning was to stabilize relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina through economic cooperation, especially with the United States. When you have serious capital, the space for political adventures is significantly reduced,” he said.
He added that the global situation is changing rapidly.
“Today, things are changing by the hour. It is very difficult to follow all these changes and draw long-term conclusions, because relations between states are constantly being redefined,” he said.
Finally, he clearly defined the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina should not blindly follow anyone. Our task is to protect our own interests, build stability and seek partnerships that will benefit our citizens,” Konaković concluded.
