The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, summed up his participation in the three-day Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF), highlighting the strong commitment of the international community to the stability of the Western Balkans and the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Three days of very intensive and fruitful dialogue in Antalya are coming to an end. I have the impression that there is a great commitment in the world to preserving peace, its restoration and development,” Schmidt said in a video message.
The High Representative stressed the importance of the presence of all members of the BiH Presidency and the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the forum, which he used to discuss further developments and the necessary steps towards Brussels.
Warning on hate speech and Islamophobia
Schmidt particularly emphasized the importance of adopting key laws for European integration, but also the issue of energy stability.
“We have seen the decision on the Southern Interconnection, where we now have to see how it can actually be implemented, so that gas flows at reasonable prices to all those who want to use it in BiH,” Schmidt said.
During the forum, a consensus was reached on the need to curb negative rhetoric.
“The good news is that there is a focus on avoiding the incitement of Islamophobic and other statements that are divisive and insult the integrity of parts of society in BiH. Whether at the level of the OSCE, the EU or the Western Balkans neighbourhood, we all agreed that this must be done very carefully. Do not continue with hate speech, and if it does, especially in this election year, we will have to give a clear and strong response,” warned the High Representative, adding that every citizen has the right to stability, peace and a European future.
