The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, stated that BiH has made significant progress in strengthening law enforcement, border management and regional security, and that it remains committed to initiating and implementing essential reforms.
Konaković is participating in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Western Balkans and the European Union member states that make up the “Group of Friends of the Western Balkans” in Rome today.
At the sessions “Preserving Common Security and Safety: Strengthening Cooperation with the Western Balkans” and “Accelerating the Accession of the Western Balkans to the EU: Common Priorities for the Way Forward”, Minister Konaković assessed the efforts of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” group to enhance political dialogue and accelerate the region’s EU accession processes as invaluable.
He emphasized that this progress is not only a regional priority but also a strategic necessity for the stability, security and prosperity of Europe, especially in today’s changing geopolitical landscape.
Konaković emphasized that BiH has made significant progress in strengthening law enforcement, border management and regional security, that it remains committed to initiating and implementing important reforms, especially in the areas of fostering regional cooperation, improving good neighborly relations, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and strengthening political dialogue, and certainly remains committed to fulfilling the key priorities from the European Commission’s Opinion on BiH’s EU membership and the steps from the recommendation of the European Council, the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
The statement states that the minister spoke about the current political situation and the current crisis caused by the forces being set in motion by Milorad Dodik and which, as he stated, aim to destabilize the country and throw it off its path towards the EU.
Konaković emphasized that these forces are trying to place BiH alongside those who violate international law and threaten European security and stability. On the other hand, he mentioned the strengthening of the opposition in the entity of Republika Srpska, which, the statement further states, recognizes the importance and prosperity of the path that BiH is taking, and is ready to act pro-European for the benefit of both BiH and the region.
Minister Konaković called for greater attention from the Western Balkan countries and the “Group of Friends of the Western Balkans” to the current situation in BiH and stronger and better political support for pro-European processes in the country, given that the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina is being undermined and the state, and thus the entire region, is being destabilized, the statement states.
