The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, spoke today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares Bueno.
Minister Konaković expressed his sincere satisfaction with the cordial and friendly relations between the two countries, and the strong bilateral political ties at an extremely important and specific moment in which BiH finds itself.
He expressed special gratitude to Minister Albares for his statement from March this year on the actions of the ruling structures of Republika Srpska, which he assesses as contrary to the constitutional order and endangers the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the stability of the country and the entire Western Balkan region, and in which he called for full respect for the institutions of BiH and the court decisions of the Constitutional Court, for de-escalation of tensions and a return to dialogue for the benefit of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Konaković informed Minister Albares about the current political situation in BiH and the activities and attacks of Milorad Dodik on the constitutional order, as well as the talks and activities of the opposition from Republika Srpska, which, according to current positions and statements, is ready to act and work on BiH’s EU path.
The ministers discussed the continuation of bilateral cooperation, the further implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries signed in 2023, Spain’s support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in harmonizing the rule of law with EU standards through the EU4Jusice project – Phase II, “Support to Judicial Professionalism and the Fight against Organized Crime and Corruption in BiH”, progress towards EU membership through the Growth Plan, which includes the adoption of reforms aimed at establishing a more stable political and economic order.
They also discussed the activities undertaken in BiH in relation to the FRONTEX Agreement, and Spain’s participation in EUFOR’s Operation Althea.
Minister Albares confirmed the continuity of the Kingdom of Spain’s support for the European future of BiH, as well as the EU enlargement policy, and stressed that BiH will continue to have a sincere friend in the Kingdom of Spain on its path towards the European Union, and that Spain will continue to deepen cooperation with BiH through activities to strengthen the exchange of experiences and knowledge.
He stressed that the full integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other Western Balkan countries is crucial for ensuring long-term security and stability and is of vital interest for the whole of Europe.
At the end of the conversation, Albares reiterated the clear support of the Kingdom of Spain for the territorial integrity and sovereignty, the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the strong condemnation of any form of secession and secessionist rhetoric, the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
