Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown where it sees its present and future and its decisions to join all the positions and decisions of the European Union (EU) regarding Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian Federation. In our circumstances, these were legal, well-founded and reasonable decisions, but they were not easy or simple, said today in Sarajevo the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bisera Turkovic.
Turkovic met with her Greek counterpart, the Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias in the ministry building, after which a joint press conference was held.
Legal, reasonable and reasonable decisions
Turkovic said that she had talked very openly with her Greek counterpart about the current situation, not only in BiH, but also in the region and throughout Europe.
“Greece is one of the countries that continuously supports European integration. I am glad that we find an ally in them for our efforts to give BiH candidate status. That is what the majority of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina support and want,” said Turkovic.
She said that awareness is growing in Brussels and other European capitals as to why and because of what kind of policy and constitutional order, Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently not in a position to meet the 14 preconditions from the European Commission’s Opinion on time.
“Further blockade of progress will only strengthen the negative impacts in the region and contribute to destabilization. It is evident that key international factors are paying more and more attention to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is encouraging, but it requires important decisions to be made for peace and stabilization. Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown where it sees its present and future and decisions to join all EU positions and decisions regarding Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian Federation. These, in our circumstances, were legal, reasonable and reasonable decisions, but they were neither easy nor simple. We are glad that our friends appreciate and realize that,” stated Turkovic, and added:
“We expect that the EU and NATO, as well as key world powers, will very soon harmonize special “tailor-made” programs that will put BiH on the tracks of progress and prevent the crisis from spilling over from Ukraine to this part of Europe.”
Stronger and more meaningful relationships
During today’s meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries were also discussed. Turkovic reminded that BiH and Greece have about 20 bilateral agreements in the field of economy, investment protection, defense, transport, culture, education and science.
She said that there is room for strengthening economic relations, and that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a marked deficit in foreign trade with Greece.
“We should emphasize the very successful cooperation in the field of defense. As a NATO member, Greece is a respectable partner on BiH’s path to EU and NATO integration. Every year, the Program of bilateral cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of BiH and the Ministry of National Defense of Greece is signed. We also talked about expanding cooperation in that regard,” said Turkovic.
In the end, she thanked her Greek colleague Dendias, especially for the donations from the coronavirus vaccine from July last year, which Greece sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina when it was needed.
“I am convinced that our relations in the coming period will be stronger and more meaningful. In the end, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Greece will forever share the fate of this beautiful Balkan peninsula,” concluded the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bisera Turkovic.
Stability and security in BiH
Greece believes in the European future of the entire Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and opposes any border changes in the region, Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Dendias said in Sarajevo on Tuesday.
“The key message is to stand for stability and security in BiH. And, as a matter of principle, I want to say that Greece opposes any changes in the borders in the region,” Dendias said in an address to the media after the meeting with BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Referring to the current situation in BiH, including discussions on changes to the BiH Election Law, Dendias said a constructive, results-oriented dialogue is the best way to solve problems.
“This, however, requires patience and commitment of all parties. The solution to the problem in each country comes from within, not from outside. We must be careful, because there have been attacks by third-party actors aimed at destabilizing the region. All partners in the Western Balkans should combat negative external influences and adhere to European principles and values,” Dendias said.
As he said, he is glad that BiH has chosen the path of European principles and values, and added that Greece will support the country on that path.
There is no place for revisionism
He also pointed out that Greek foreign policy is based on the UN Charter, which implies good neighborly relations and respect for international law.
“BiH has joined the same Charter which obliges all members to respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of each state. I think there is no better place than Sarajevo to point out once again that there is no place for revisionism. We don’t need it on a continent that has already suffered so much. It is time to end the sufferings of the past and turn to a common European future,” said the Greek foreign minister.
He added that Greece believes in the European future of the entire Western Balkans, which, he said, has “suffered enough through its past”.
He also spoke about bilateral relations between the two countries and the tourism sector, emphasizing that the number of BiH. tourists in Greece doubled.
“We also appreciate the fact that the Greek language is studied at universities in BiH. We also appreciate our bilateral, military cooperation. We are generally interested in improving bilateral cooperation with BiH,” said Dendias, Avaz writes.
