Konaković holds a series of meetings in Strasbourg: MVP statement silent on RS and Dodik's problematic actions

(Patria) - On the sidelines of the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, held a series of meetings with European Union officials.

Minister Konaković met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament to present the progress BiH has made before the finalization of the Enlargement Package, which the European Commission will prepare as a communication to the European Parliament and the Council, and to advocate for an EU decision for BiH's further progress on the EU path, preferably through a decision to open accession negotiations.

The Minister held separate meetings with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. The focus of the talks with Commissioner Varhelyi was on the upcoming Enlargement Package and the Growth Plan that the EU is preparing for the Western Balkans, in line with earlier announcements by the President of the European Commission. Commissioner Varhelyi called on the authorities in our country to intensify efforts and achieve further progress in fulfilling the 14 key priorities and 8 steps from the European Commission's recommendation for granting BiH candidate status, especially by the end of this month, or mid-next month at the latest.

Commissioner Johansson welcomed the results and progress BiH has achieved in fulfilling its obligations from the European integration process, and emphasized that this is currently a momentum for BiH on the EU path. She particularly highlighted the importance of concluding the agreement with Frontex, and encouraged BiH to appoint a delegation for negotiations for this agreement.

Minister Konaković also held a series of separate meetings with Members of the European Parliament: Tineke Strik, shadow rapporteur for BiH in the Committee on Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Green political group, Tonino Picula, coordinator for the Committee on Foreign Affairs on behalf of the S&D political group, Paulo Rangel, standing rapporteur of the European Parliament for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Michael Gahler, coordinator of the EPP political group in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Klemen Grošelj, MEP from the Republic of Slovenia in the European Parliament, Chairman of the informal Group of Friends of the European Parliament for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and shadow rapporteur for BiH on behalf of the Renew political group. The Minister also held two joint meetings with MEPs, the first joint meeting with Dietmar Köster, shadow rapporteur for BiH in the Committee on Foreign Affairs on behalf of the S&D political group, and Thijs Reuten, MEP, and the second with MEPs Hilde Vautmans, coordinator for the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament on behalf of the Renew political group, and Ilhan Kyuchyuk, deputy coordinator for the Committee on Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Renew political group and main coordinator for Renew in that Committee for the Western Balkans.

Minister Konaković thanked the MEPs for their continuous support to Bosnia and Herzegovina and our country's European integration process. He emphasized that the European integration process is the focus of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina's activities. He pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina's strong commitment to the EU path has so far resulted in concrete progress in fulfilling obligations through the adoption of several important laws related to the implementation of the fourteen key priorities.

The interlocutors showed particular interest in the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the plans of the authorities in BiH to fulfill the remaining priorities.

The Minister informed them about the ongoing processes related to the harmonization of several more legal solutions important for our country's EU path. He expressed hope and expectation that the EU will recognize the progress BiH has made and consider the possibility of BiH moving to the next important phase of the EU path, which relates to the decision to open accession negotiations with the EU.

In addition to exchanging views on the current geopolitical situation and its reflection on the European Union's enlargement process, the MEPs emphasized our country's European future, and strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens in persevering to meet EU criteria, with the aim of BiH's full membership in the European Union.

What is interesting is that the statement says nothing about the problems BiH is facing and the actions of Milorad Dodik and the RS authorities. Konaković confirmed in a statement to several media outlets that he also discussed this with European officials and that they inquired about the situation in BiH.