SEPARATE VISITS, IN DUET Konaković and Brkić spoke with Schmidt and Murphy

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković spoke today with the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister Josip Brkić.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the reform process on the Euro-Atlantic path of BiH, with special reference to the candidate status of our country for EU membership. 

High Representative Schmidt congratulated Minister Konaković on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and welcomed the swift formation of the new Council of Ministers. He said that it is time for positive changes to occur in BiH because citizens expect them. He added that BiH, after obtaining candidate status, should now take “step by step” on its European path, emphasizing the readiness of the OHR to provide support, expertise, and constructive exchange of views to that end. Minister Konaković emphasized that European integration, cooperation with NATO, and regional cooperation are the foreign policy priorities of BiH. He stressed that we are aware of the obligations after obtaining candidate status and expressed commitment to implementing the necessary reforms on the path to full EU membership.

Deputy Minister Brkić referred to the cooperation between BiH and the North Atlantic Alliance, focusing on the adopted Reform Programs as the political and legal framework of our country's cooperation with NATO. The meeting also discussed the upcoming Munich Security Conference, which will be held in February this year, as well as cooperation in the Western Balkans region. 

Konaković and Brkić also spoke today with the United States Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael Murphy.

Murphy congratulated the minister on the successful negotiations, wishing him much success in his future work as minister. He reiterated that the US is a proven friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina and will certainly continue to provide its support in building a democratic and prosperous future.

Konaković thanked the US ambassador, emphasizing that in BiH we are certainly aware of the importance of US aid to both BiH and the region, and that we certainly want to continue building a partnership with Washington. What BiH needs is friendly support from the US in the process of strengthening regional cooperation in order to ensure positive changes for citizens in the future through that process.

Brkić referred to the importance of strengthening a well-organized state structure where assistance and partnership with the US mean a great deal.