Regional leaders gather in Sarajevo, Croatian president absent

Leaders of regional countries, participants of the Brdo-Brijuni Process, have arrived in Sarajevo: Presidents of Slovenia Borut Pahor, Serbia Tomislav Nikolić, Montenegro Filip Vujanović, Albania Bujar Nišani, Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov, and Kosovo Hašim Tači, along with honorary guest Italian President Sergio Matarrella, reports the BH News Agency Patria. Although announced, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović did not arrive in Sarajevo today.

The regional leaders are attending the Summit of 100 Business Leaders of Southeast Europe within the presidential panel "Agreement for a New Era". The Summit of 100 is sponsored by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Each president addressed the participants of the Summit 100, highlighting their perspectives on the situation in the region across all spheres, and on what unites and divides the countries of the region.

Bakir Izetbegović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that such meetings are necessary for conducting correct policies in the region.

- Precisely these kinds of meetings of leaders who have the capacity, supported by people from business, because business is the foundation for conducting policy. We must understand how others feel and be able to put ourselves in their shoes. We have all made mistakes, and we could all have done more. We must accept that and help people in the Balkans to stop leaving here - said Izetbegović.

Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović stated that the economy connects countries, but that unresolved issues between neighboring countries must be resolved.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić addressed the need for the countries of the region to join the European Union, which will bring stability to the region's states. Nikolić said that relations between the countries of the region have been stagnant for the past year, singling out Croatia and stating that they have increased "ultranationalism". Nikolić also touched upon the economic aspect and told business leaders that they should tell politicians what is hindering them. He believes that Prime Ministers, not Presidents, can help most in this regard.

President of Kosovo Hašim Tači stated that Kosovo is trying very hard to have good relations with everyone.

- We have no open issues with Albania and Macedonia. We will ratify the agreement with Montenegro. Five years ago, it was unimaginable for the presidents of Kosovo and Serbia to meet and communicate normally. Both of our countries will have to work further on improvements to achieve a broader framework for cooperation and faster movement towards the EU.

Dragan Čović, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that trust must be built.

- I wish we had more optimism tonight. We will not get far if we do not tell ourselves that we have no more time. Human resources are the potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the foundation into which we must invest much more. We must be stricter with ourselves to fulfill our obligations. Our macroeconomic and microeconomic indicators are not bad, but we must work. We must have more optimism - said Čović.

The Presidents of Albania, Macedonia, and Slovenia believe that economic cooperation can overcome political problems, and that the future lies in the European Union.

On Sunday, May 29, 2016, the Brdo-Brijuni Process leaders' plenary meeting and a press conference will be held.