The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković led the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina today in a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Luminita Odobescu and the delegation of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting of the two delegations, the signing ceremony of the Protocol between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Romania on the succession of bilateral agreements concluded.
Konaković emphasized the importance of today’s signing of the Protocol in view of a total of 64 registered bilateral agreements, because it is necessary to resolve the issue of their succession, by harmonizing the list of agreements concluded between the former SFRY and Romania.
The cooperation action plan gives the signatory countries the possibility of more intensive and concrete cooperation in many areas important for the overall progress and especially for the EU path of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to the regular holding of bilateral political consultations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania, an intensive exchange of experiences is possible through training at the level of young diplomats, better cooperation of non-governmental organizations, more intensive work on joint projects within the framework of regional cooperation, etc. The action plan envisages regular consultations on issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration during preparations for EU accession and the negotiation process, issues of regional security and providing support in the implementation of the acquis and additional harmonization with European standards. An exchange of experiences in the area of the EU’s common foreign and security policy is planned. The signatories also committed to cooperation within the Partnership for Peace through the DCB, as well as to support the intensification of cooperation with NATO. Cooperation will be intensified in the field of visa policy, etc., it was announced from the Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the meeting, Konaković spoke about the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the opening of accession negotiations on membership in the European Union in March 2024. He thanked Romania for the sincere support it provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina during that process and explained the importance of the intensity of work on the adoption of the negotiation framework and further engagement of BiH towards full membership through the adoption of reforms and fulfillment of the conditions set by the European Commission. Reiterating BiH’s unquestionable commitment to full membership in the EU, Konaković reiterated his commitment to respecting all democratic processes.
Head of Bosnia and Herzegovina diplomats welcomed the recent approval of the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans by the Council of the European Union as it is a promising initiative for the further integration of the Western Balkans into the EU single market and the strengthening of economic integration through the common regional market.
Konaković emphasized the importance of Romania’s support and participation in the ALTEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the importance of the security and stability segment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and welcomed Romania’s leadership in the ALTEA mission next year.
During the meeting, they also discussed the improvement of economic cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania through the joint action of chambers of commerce, organizing business forums and bilateral business meetings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced.
