Fajon with Konaković: Strengthening cooperation in economy, tourism, and culture

(Patria) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, met on June 22, 2023, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon.

The meeting discussed the bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Slovenia, the current situation and reform processes in BiH, our country's progress on its European path, and regional relations.

During the meeting, it was stated that the relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia are traditionally good and friendly, with no open issues, and cooperation is successful in numerous bilateral and multilateral
areas. It was assessed that there are opportunities to strengthen sectoral cooperation, with a special emphasis on economy, tourism, and culture. The interlocutors expressed their expectation that high-level and top-level meetings will continue in the future, and pointed out the importance of regular bilateral consultations between the two ministries of foreign affairs.

Minister Konaković expressed gratitude to the Republic of Slovenia for its support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU and NATO, and especially for its strong advocacy for granting candidate status. He thanked Minister Fajon, Prime Minister Golob, and other representatives of the Slovenian authorities because, at a time when Bosnia and Herzegovina needed support, they were very vocal and very brave in providing that support so that by obtaining candidate status, we could move towards the EU at a faster pace. He said that BiH still has many challenges to justify its candidate status and potentially create conditions to officially start negotiations. The Minister said that Slovenia is one of the most important countries in terms of trade exchange.

The Minister emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment to full membership in the European Union is complete and unquestionable, as is the engagement in implementing the 14 priorities from the European Commission's Opinion.

He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina has shown strong commitment to the European Union in recent months by fully aligning its positions with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and acting in accordance with it.

He informed Minister Fajon about the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the dynamics of establishing the Council of Ministers of BiH, emphasizing that the current convocation has made a significant step on the European path
by adopting a series of drafts, laws, and strategies, and confirmed readiness to reach an agreement on resolving issues for which there was no consensus in previous convocations of the Council of Ministers of BiH.

He stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, which is a fundamental part of the European integration process, as well as accelerating the EU enlargement process for the Western Balkan countries. Minister Konaković once again specifically thanked Minister Fajon for her personal commitment and advocacy for BiH's candidate status, and congratulated Slovenia on its successful election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2024 and 2025, assessing it as a diplomatic success for Slovenia.

Minister Tanja Fajon reiterated Slovenia's unquestionable support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path and expressed commitment to further improving and strengthening cooperation between the two countries. She confirmed the traditionally good relations between BiH and Slovenia, with an emphasis on the cultural and economic ties between the two countries. She thanked BiH for supporting Slovenia's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 mandate.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on regulating contractual relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia, the status of our citizens living in Slovenia, and other issues of common interest.