“Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) progress on the European path is based on unequivocal respect for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country, rest assured that France is vigilantly monitoring any threat that could threaten them, ” it was stated in the letter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Bisera Turkovic.
The French foreign minister responded to a letter from Minister Turkovic sent earlier on the occasion of the statements of the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban about BiH.
”Thank you for your letter, which particularly touched me. Let me first remind you of France’s full support for the European perspective of BiH, as well as other Western Balkan countries. The President of the Republic clearly reminded of that at the EU-Western Balkans summit, as well as the EU Council in the conclusions from December 14th regarding the enlargement,” stated the French Minister.
To recall, in controversial statements about BiH, the Hungarian Prime Minister introduced the issue of the religious affiliation of a part of the population of BiH in the context of European integration. Le Drian, in his letter, reminds us that the conditions for integration are clear.
”As for the conditions for BiH’s accession to the European Union (EU), the roadmap is clear. It is about implementing structural reforms in the area of rule of law and improving the functioning of the central state, as stated by the European Commission in its opinion on BiH’s candidacy for EU accession, which was supported by the Council in December 2019,” Le Drian said.
He stressed that, given that France holds the presidency of the EU Council, one should count on its engagement as well as the engagement of the EU, given that the Western Balkans is one of the priorities.
”You can count on the support for BiH and joint progress in finding a solution to the crisis it is going through,” Le Drian concluded.
E.Dz.
Source: Klix.ba