Baerbock: Adopt technical amendments to the Election Law, it would be a shame if the High Representative used the Bonn powers

(Patria) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said after a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković that it is important for Germany to adopt European laws in BiH.

She said that this meeting comes at a decisive time on BiH's path to the EU.

"We expect a report from the European Commission that will assess the progress on the path to opening accession negotiations. This report will form the basis for the decision on the next steps," said Baerbock.

She emphasized that the Law on Conflict of Interest is important for Germany.

"Internal discussions were held yesterday. This was one of the key topics during my conversation with the members of the Presidency of BiH. From our perspective, this law is important for the people here. It is especially crucial in the context of corruption, everything that is unhealthy for a society, that we fight against it, so that it leads towards the rule of law," said Baerbock.

She also spoke about the fact that BiH can only join the European Union as a whole country.

"Violently changing borders is not good for people. It has brought so much suffering to our continent and the world. I am telling this to other candidates as well. We will clearly name secessionist fantasies. Only a united BiH can join the European Union. I discussed this specifically with the member of the Presidency of BiH from the Serb people," said Baerbock.

She called on the authorities to adopt the package of technical amendments to the Election Law of BiH.

"Local communities are very important for democracy. Local elections are very important. There are recommendations from the OSCE on how these elections can be fair. We as Germany have provided financial resources to ensure that local elections are democratic elections. Life is at the local level. Only a few weeks remain for leaders to adopt these changes. It would be a great shame if the High Representative had to enact this law based on the Bonn powers, even though this law is already being worked on intensively and, in my opinion, is well-prepared," said Baerbock.

Konaković, in his address, said that Germany's support on the European path is important.

"The opportunity to open negotiations can be called historic. The EU is opening its doors wide, and I hope that my colleagues and we who make up the government will continue with not-so-easy reforms, but will complete them for the benefit of all people, because we know that regardless of the current momentum, we have obligations ahead of us," said Konaković.

He said that Germany particularly insists on the fight against corruption.

"The message of our commitment to fighting corruption, which our friends from Germany insist on, is important. This particularly applies to the cases of the former Prime Minister of the FBiH Government, the fact that the President of the Court and the former Director of OSA are in prison. This time, the system is showing readiness to deal with the highest officeholders in BiH and to show commitment to addressing corruption, as one of the biggest problems in BiH, in an adequate way," said Konaković.

Speaking about the Berlin Process, Konaković emphasizes that BiH is very interested in this initiative.

"We are very interested in the Berlin Process. We have adopted two documents, the third one is still pending. I hope that colleagues from the Council of Ministers will give the green light for that document. The fears of the EU are clear to me, as they observe our disagreements and fear that we might bring them into a house that is in order. We need to make additional efforts so that through some processes we can cooperate and integrate as such a market into the single market of the EU, which opens up great investment potential for BiH," said Konaković.

He said that he cannot say that he expects accession negotiations, but that he hopes for them.

"We know that there are rules. We know that current EU member states also went through a difficult administrative path, and we do not want and are not seeking a shortcut. We hope that, in addition to our obligations, which we have delivered more than ever before, it will be enough, along with the geopolitical approach and leadership of the EU, to make a positive decision," he emphasizes.