The Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nermin Nikšić, who is leading the delegation of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina visiting Hungary, met this morning in Budapest with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto.
Along with Prime Minister Nikšić, the Government delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister of FBiH and Federal Minister of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Vojin Mijatović, and Federal Ministers of Energy, Mining and Industry Vedran Lakić, Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry Kemal Hrnjić and Displaced Persons and Refugees Nerin Dizdar.
The meeting discussed the process of our country joining the European Union and the Reform Plan. Minister Szijjarto emphasized the support of Hungary, and added that this country is available to help in the recovery of areas threatened by recent floods in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Prime Minister Nikšić expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized readiness for cooperation and joint activities.
“We feel your support and determination to see us as a member of the EU. We must do everything in our power and use Hungary’s presidency of the European Union to make progress. If we miss this train, I fear that the EU’s interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina could fall into the background. We are aware that your willingness to help us implies that we, on our part, adopt legal solutions. You are one of the few countries that maintains contacts with all levels of government and helps us through cooperation. We can complete the remaining obligations very quickly without politics. We want to come to an agreement together and I hope that soon we will all sit down together and come to an agreement. I don’t know if there will be a solution, but if we don’t sit down and agree, we won’t achieve anything. I think all member states understand what an opportunity your chairmanship offers us, and I will pass on your message that Hungary, if we make a step towards legal solutions, will further support us,” said Prime Minister Nikšić.
Emphasizing that it is very important to use the period of the Hungarian EU presidency, he added that progress has been made in connection with the appointment of the chief negotiator, and announced the possibility of forming a negotiating team. When it comes to the Reform Plan, the federal prime minister reminded that out of 113 measures, 111 were agreed, despite the reserved opinion given by four cantons. He said that about 95 percent of the solutions have been reached regarding the Appellate Council, and that if the political part regarding the two laws is resolved, the opinion with the reservation of the canton will not be a problem.
Minister Szijjarto emphasized his regret for the great consequences of the recent floods in the Federation, and especially emphasized Hungary’s readiness to help in the reconstruction of railway traffic. He added that Hungary provides support on BiH’s path to the EU.
“When everything is finished from your agreement at the political level, then we need to persuade the European Commission to publish its assessment as soon as possible and to convene a European intergovernmental conference on Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are really ready to help you,” said Szijjarto.
Also, an introductory meeting was held this morning for today’s business forum, which will be attended by more than 100 businessmen from Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Along with the delegation of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on a two-day visit to Hungary, there are also representatives of business companies and businessmen from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among them are representatives of the public companies Elektroprivreda BiH, Elektroprivreda HZHB, then BH Telecom, Ceste Federacije BiH, Development Bank FBiH, as well as dedicated industry companies, as well as domestic companies from the Federation BiH, announced the FBiH Government Office for Public Relations.
