The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, said that today’s visit of the heads of diplomacy of Italy and Austria to Sarajevo is an indication that Bosnia and Herzegovina is back in focus, that important guests are coming to it and that it has good momentum to make strides on the European path in this calendar year.
Head of Bosnia and Herzegovina Diplomacy Konaković met today in Sarajevo with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy Antonio Tajani and Minister of European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.
The trilateral meeting was held in the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and during a joint address to journalists, Konaković pointed out that this is a very important visit from friendly countries that do a lot for BiH on its European path.
“We consider this visit very important due to the fact that today there are representatives of friendly countries who are doing a lot for BiH on its European path, but also due to the fact that BiH is coming back into focus and that important guests are coming again.
“My impression is that they bypassed us for too long and I emphasize the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a momentum that it must use especially in this calendar year,” Konaković said.
He added that the focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina was returned because of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and because of the fact that the whole European family is turning to the processes in BiH and because of the danger that this part of the Balkans is not activated again in terms of bad events.
“This led us to obtain candidate status, quickly form the Council of Ministers of BiH, and I hope to quickly adopt the budget, perhaps already today at the session of the Council of Ministers of BiH and then quickly and in the parliaments by the end of March, and to start formally fulfilling our obligations from these 14 and other priorities that would mean our progress on the European path. Once again, I emphasize the importance of this calendar year because the report on the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be adopted sometime in October,” Konaković said.
Pointing out that BiH has done nothing for too long and that it is time to deliver some of its obligations on the European road, Konaković said that a number of topics were discussed at today’s meeting, including economic ones and the possibility of organizing an economic forum in Italy.
“The arrival of our friends in BiH means a lot to us and it confirms that we are returning to the map of interests and that we have momentum this year. “Another important thing is that next year the elections for the European Parliament will be held, when the focus of all political giants will be more on that plan, than on the foreign policy and BiH,” Konaković said.
In the end, he called on all politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina to understand that with a few good decisions this year, steps can be taken on the European path and to work seriously and with dedication, without inflammatory rhetoric.
“We talked today about how Bosnia and Herzegovina must and should follow the foreign policy of the European Union in terms of visa and other policies, such as relations with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The EU expects that from us because of the Association Agreement, because of the candidate status and all adopted acts, the Constitution and laws. We have committed to follow the policy of the European Union, and I can say from the head of this Ministry that this will happen in the future,” Konaković concluded.
Antonio Tajani said that Italy wants to strengthen cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, organize an exchange of experiences, in order to help Bosnia and Herzegovina in the processes requested by the European Union. He pointed out that the Western Balkans is their priority, that they want to be more present, and that he suggested holding a business forum.
“We are also ready to cooperate more strongly in the fight against illegal migration. It is a problem for all of us,” said Tajani and added that everyone should work together in the fight against human trafficking:
“Our presence is an important message to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both Italy and Austria are here to support you, this is a political message, we are your friends, friends of your country, we want to do more for you.”
Alexander Schallenberg said that Italy and Austria have shown in the past decades that they are committed to this region emotionally, economically, politically, and militarily through the Althea mission.
Speaking about the European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he emphasized that it is necessary to take advantage of the opportunity provided through the granting of candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Austria is one of the biggest investors here and it will remain so. We are one of the countries that takes advantage of your brain drain, but we are not happy about it,” he said.
He mentioned the 14th priority of the European Commission, stating that they want to help, but that the local authorities must give them something they can work with.
Photo: N1
