Bećirović spoke with Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib

(Patria) - Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Bećirović spoke in Brussels with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, as part of an official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Bećirović stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Belgium have established friendly relations based on mutual respect, and that for three full decades they have successfully resolved all open issues. The Kingdom of Belgium is an important partner on Bosnia and Herzegovina's path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integrations. Therefore, it is imperative that the negotiation process with the European Union begins precisely while the Kingdom of Belgium presides over the EU Council.

Speaking about Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path and the trust placed in it by opening accession negotiations, Dr. Bećirović emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is striving to reconcile internal disagreements and align its policies with EU policies. He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina follows and supports the implementation of all six priorities of the Belgian presidency of the EU Council: defending the principles of democracy and the rule of law; digitalization and technological competitiveness; green transition; strengthening the social and health agenda; protecting people and borders; and promoting a global Europe.

Minister Hadja Lahbib emphasized that the Kingdom of Belgium sees Bosnia and Herzegovina as an important partner in the Western Balkans. This is evidenced by intensive bilateral cooperation, the reopening of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Sarajevo, as well as the opening in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina of the only office in the Western Balkans of the Chamber of Commerce of the Kingdom of Belgium and Luxembourg. Illustrating the determination and commitment to political partnership, Minister Lahbib noted that a high-level delegation of the Ministry of Foreign and Development Policy of the Kingdom of Belgium, led by political directors, is currently in Sarajevo on a working visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.