Minister Kneissl: Politicians must be pragmatic and solve problems through dialogue

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl stated that she believes local politicians can find a solution for amendments to the Election Law, and called on them to accelerate reforms and be pragmatic. She is of the opinion that problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina are solved through agreement between politicians.

Kneissl emphasized that she has decades of experience with Bosnia and Herzegovina and numerous personal friendships.

- In my lectures, I always spoke about Southeast Europe and pointed out that it is not true that there was no war in Europe since 1945. We also had wars in the 1990s, she told reporters.

Speaking about Austria's policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, the minister said that it has its continuity.

- For us, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a sovereign, unified, internationally recognized state. And I must tell you that none of the BiH politicians asked me about this during the meetings we had. You journalists are the only ones who mentioned this topic.

In numerous meetings she had with BiH officials, she discussed BiH's obligations on the European path. Commenting on the adoption of the European Commission's Strategy for the Western Balkans, Kneissl emphasized that BiH must not miss this opportunity.

During the day, she also spoke with Reis-ul-ulema Husein ef. Kavazović, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and Metropolitan Hrizostom.