The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denis Bećirović, spoke on the first day of his official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany with the President of that country, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Bećirović was received at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin, the residence of the German president, with the highest state and military honors.
During the conversation, Bećirović emphasized that the relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany are extremely good and friendly, and that Germany has proven many times that it is a great friend and ally of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Chairman of the BiH Presidency pointed out the importance of adopting the resolution on July 11 as an international day of remembrance and commemoration of the genocide in Srebrenica committed in 1995. He thanked President Steinmeier for Germany’s support for activities and measures in the fight against denial of genocide, hate speech and glorification of war crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BiH Presidency announced.
He also emphasized the important role of Germany, which provides support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. He pointed out that Germany is one of the main proponents of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path, which it has proven many times, including when making the decision to open negotiations on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s membership in the EU. Bećirović said that in this context, the proactive German role is particularly important.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier confirmed his unquestionable support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He underlined that any threat to the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina is unacceptable.
During the conversation, the importance of Germany as an active participant in the process of bringing the Western Balkans closer to the EU was highlighted.
The interlocutors specifically touched on the issue of the security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans in general. It was pointed out that the stability of the region is important for the stability of Europe as a whole, and that it is necessary for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Germany to continue close cooperation on these issues.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany have traditionally had good political and economic relations. In addition to economic cooperation, cooperation in the field of culture is also significant. Between the two countries, there is a tradition of celebrating and promoting cultural events, exchanging knowledge and experiences in the field of education. A significant bond between Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina is also represented by the numerous BiH diaspora in Germany,” said the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović.
Bećirović will also talk with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
As previously stated by the BiH Presidency, this is the first time after a long time that the chairman of the BiH Presidency will have meetings with both the president and the chancellor of Germany, the strongest economic power in the European Union (EU), during an official visit.
During his visit to Germany, which is a witness to the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bećirović will discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path to full membership in the EU and NATO, as well as the strengthening of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s cooperation with Germany, BHRT writes.
