BiH Security Minister Nenad Nešić and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner discussed future cooperation and joint solutions to security challenges in Vienna today.
Nešić pointed out that Austria is one of BiH’s key partners on its European path and expressed his expectation for the continuation of the successful cooperation so far.
Acquainting Karner with the current situation in BiH, Nešić emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a functioning country because an agreement was made on inter-ethnic balance within it.
“On the one hand, this brings long-term stability because no nation can subjugate the other or the other two, but it also brings short-term instability due to the difficulty of reaching a compromise. This Council of Ministers, as the central point of agreement on its formation, established the European integration of BiH”, he explained, it was announced from the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He reminded that BiH received the status of a candidate for EU membership and that the goal of the Ministry of Security is to be a leader in that process.
The first major job that was completed on that road was the establishment of full operational cooperation with the European Police Agency (EUROPOL), Nešić pointed out, adding that the next goal is the signing of an agreement on cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).
“In the coming period, we will also form a negotiating team that should bring the work to an end,” said Nešić and pointed out that he expects help from Austria if it is needed, so that the negotiations and the process of establishing cooperation with FRONTEX will end as soon as possible.
They also discussed support for strengthening the capacity of competent institutions in BiH for migration management and police agencies in the fight against international organized crime.
Nešić invited Minister Karner to a return visit to BiH, pointing out that in addition to deepening bilateral relations, BiH would receive a strong message from its friends that it is counted on and considered an integral part of European security.
