The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, met on Tuesday with the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo (DSEE), led by the Head of Delegation, Davor Ivo Stier.
The meeting discussed the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European perspective of our country and the reforms that need to be implemented on the path to the EU, the Public Relations Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH announced.
Konaković expressed his gratitude to the representatives of European institutions for their attention and assistance in the process of European integration. He emphasized that the approval of the negotiating framework and the setting of the date of the first Intergovernmental Conference are of key importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its further path towards full membership in the EU, and expressed his belief that our country will seize this historic opportunity.
He also said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is harmonizing its foreign policy with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, and that this alignment with EU declarations, positions and decisions is 100 percent.
Regarding the Western Balkans Growth Plan, Konaković expressed hope that an agreement would soon be reached in BiH so that our country could also obtain funds that are important for economic progress and the implementation of key reforms and development initiatives listed in the Western Balkans Growth Plan.
The Head of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, Davor Ivo Stier, informed Minister Konaković about the activities of the delegation he heads and announced the 5th meeting of the Parliamentary Stabilization and Association Committee, which represents one of the 14 priorities set for BiH on its path to EU membership.
Stier stressed the importance of establishing a National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA) as well as the appointment of a Chief Negotiator in the accession negotiations process. He stressed that decisive progress in implementing reforms in line with EU rules and standards is expected from Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to adopt the negotiating framework and hold the Intergovernmental Conference. He recalled the importance of EU enlargement, in the context of the geopolitical challenges facing Europe, especially when it comes to the Western Balkans, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The importance of the Berlin Process and regional cooperation was also discussed during the meeting, the statement said.