Džaferović and Guerini: Italy wants to see BiH in the European Union

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović received the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Italy, Lorenzo Guerini. Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Šefik Džaferović emphasised that the Republic of Italy is a very important and close neighbouring country for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, as a member of several regional initiatives, does a lot through its diplomatic efforts aimed at integrating the entire southeast of Europe into the EU.

Minister Guerini stressed that the strategic commitment and interest of Italy, as the strongest economic and political factor in the Adriatic-Ionian region, is for all remaining countries of that region that are not yet members to become EU members, both for the sake of complete stability and security of the common area, and for economic reasons.

Therefore, it is very important to preserve stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and continue the reform process on the path to the European Union, the interlocutors agreed.

Minister Guerini informed Chairman Džaferović about the increase in personnel in the Italian contingent within EUFOR, noting that overall, including defence, relations between the two countries are at a high level. The meeting also discussed the Ukrainian crisis and how to adequately respond to its humanitarian consequences, as well as consequences for other areas of life felt across the common continent.

On behalf of the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik and Željko Komšić, the meeting was attended by advisors in their cabinets, Ana Trišić-Babić and Slaven Kovačević.