The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković is on a working visit to the United States of America (USA), during which he met in Washington with State Department adviser Derek Chollet, a World Bank delegation led by Executive Vice President for Development Financing Akihiko Nishio and Executive Director Koen Davidse and John Hopkins University professor Edward Joseph.
At the meeting between Minister Konaković and advisor Chollet, they discussed the strengthening of cooperation between BiH and the USA, the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reform processes, BiH’s path to the EU and NATO… Minister Konaković informed the interlocutor about the progress of BiH when it comes to European integrations in the period since the formation of the BiH Council of Ministers in January of this year. He assessed that the accelerated reforms and efforts that our country is making are clearly visible in order to start the process of accession negotiations between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of the year.
Counselor Chollet reiterated that the United States of America is committed to preserving the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that it is closely following the events in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. He reiterated the readiness of the American administration to contribute to the creation of a safer and more stable environment in BiH through an active role.
The interlocutors exchanged opinions on security challenges, Russian influence on events in our region, as well as the possible consequences of that influence on European integration. The American determination to be firmly with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the moments when important decisions are made for our country was confirmed.
During his stay in Washington, Minister Konaković held a meeting today with the World Bank delegation, which consisted of Vice President for Development Financing Akihiko Nishio, Executive Director of Cohen Davids and Director of Resource Mobilization at the International Development Association Dirk Reinermann.
At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the positive steps that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made since the formation of the current Council of Ministers. The fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina became the 55th country contributing to IDA (International Development Association) was particularly highlighted, which represents a great step forward for the country that went from being a recipient of aid in the post-war period to being a donor. The interlocutors agreed that the cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the World Bank is very good, which results in numerous projects. The executive director of Davidsa offered the expertise of the World Bank on the path that BiH expects in the negotiations with the EU. Minister Konaković emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina will work more intensively on amending the law, speeding up the adoption of projects and other administrative measures that would improve and speed up the management of World Bank projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Minister Konaković discussed the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and global challenges due to the war in Ukraine during a meeting with foreign policy analyst and professor at “John Hopkins” University Edward Joseph.
