The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, arrived in Sarajevo, where she held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković.
The main topics of discussion were about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union, which Slovenia strongly supports, and the possibilities of increasing cooperation between Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, expressed his gratitude for the support of Slovenia, as well as its head of diplomacy, to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path and expressed the hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will live up to the expectations of European officials who opened the door to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The dynamics and speed with which we will move is solely up to the leaders and politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on this occasion I call on them once again to use the opportunity provided, to finish the reforms that have been started, to bring those that they have been waiting too long to the final stage,” he said. is Konaković.
He repeated that there is no alternative for BiH in the economic sense except for the European Union.
“It doesn’t bother us that someone cultivates traditional, historical and some other ties with other countries, but the story about the development of the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and above all about the people staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is exclusively related to the process of integration into the European Union. In parallel with with this, processes are taking place that are also very important, it is the growth plan for the Western Balkans. One story in which new doors are opening for us in terms of not only this support in the amount of one billion euros, but the fact that through these processes and the integration of our markets in Europe, we get an opportunity to fix the part that is not doing well for us, which is attracting investments, especially foreign, of course, domestic ones as well,” said Konaković.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, said that she was happy about the European flags in Sarajevo, positive stories and people’s excitement because of, as she said, the historic decision of Brussels to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina took a historic step and opened access to the European Union. I am very happy and proud that Slovenia played a very important role there, that we helped in that process, cooperated in the process and that we will continue to do so. Opening negotiations is difficult procedure. It is not so important the destination, the membership in the European Union, as the reforms themselves, which mean the improvement of people’s lives. Bosnia and Herzegovina has done an exceptional job in 13 months, which is truly a great progress for the country,” said Fajon.
She added that today she spoke with successful entrepreneurs and young people in BiH and that she is glad for the sake of the younger generations that the state is working on urgent reforms because, as she said, they want to stay in BiH and work here. She also added that there will be no lack of financial support for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It’s not all about money, but reforms mean a better life for people. Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been a part of Europe and will always be a part of Europe. I sincerely believe today that it is a strategic moment, that in the light of all the geopolitical tensions that we have around us, we should unite, let’s expand and equalize this Europe. Together, together with the countries of the Western Balkans, 2030 brings readiness within the EU and it doesn’t seem so far away,” said Fajon and said that Slovenia will continue to support BiH as much as it can, AA writes.
