Dancila - Zvizdić: Strong support from Romania for granting BiH candidate status

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić spoke today in Bucharest with Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila about improving economic cooperation, European integration and regional cooperation.

Zvizdić said that the political relations between the two friendly countries are very good and without open issues. He welcomed the Romanian presidency of the EU and thanked Romania for keeping the topic of enlargement as one of the priorities of its presidency. He expressed BiH's interest in deepening and strengthening cooperation in the areas of Euro-Atlantic integration and economic relations, with an emphasis on improving trade exchange, where there is plenty of room for improvement. As areas where there is both space and common interest, Zvizdić highlighted agriculture, energy, automotive and machine industry, the IT sector, tourism and environmental protection.

Prime Minister Dancila congratulated Zvizdić on the impressive results achieved by the Council of Ministers of BiH in the last four years. She emphasized that Romania strongly supports the Euro-Atlantic integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina and expressed Romania's readiness to provide political and technical assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to accelerate BiH's European path. She added that Romania wants to strengthen and improve cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially economic cooperation through connecting chambers of commerce and entrepreneurs. She stressed that the Western Balkans are part of Europe, and that Romania supports BiH obtaining candidate status and that the only guarantee of lasting peace, stability and economic development of the region is membership in the EU and NATO.

Chairman Zvizdić informed Prime Minister Dancila about the current political situation in BiH. He emphasized that the EU and NATO perspective for BiH is a motivator and driver for implementing necessary reforms and economic development, but primarily for stabilizing the overall situation in BiH, and that obtaining candidate status as soon as possible would have a positive effect on stabilizing the political situation.

Chairman Zvizdić added that the European perspective of the region is set as an imperative because it ensures further strengthening and growth of our economies, democratization of societies, improvement of living standards and much-needed lasting stabilization of the region through continuous strengthening of regional cooperation. As a positive example of strengthening regional cooperation, Chairman Zvizdić highlighted the Berlin Process, which is already yielding very encouraging, measurable and relevant results while addressing all key topics, from infrastructural connectivity, strengthening economic cooperation, addressing common security challenges, the issue of youth connectivity, and addressing topics for reconciliation processes.

Chairman Zvizdić said that BiH supports and actively participates in all processes and initiatives that contribute to connectivity, economic development, peace and stability in the region. He emphasized that the EU's commitment to the region, keeping the topic of enlargement and focusing on positive processes are the only guarantee of lasting stabilization and prosperity of the Western Balkans.

The interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to encourage cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries, cooperation between entrepreneurs through business forums and bilateral meetings, which are good instruments through which economic cooperation will be improved. It was emphasized that bilateral relations can also be strengthened in the areas of science, culture, technology, sports and youth.

Zvizdić thanked for Romania's support for BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration and confirmed BiH's support for Romania for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2020-21.

Prime Minister Dancila thanked for our country's support for Romania's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.