Steinmeier: Germany and the EU will surely be on your side

The Forum for Prosperity and Employment began today in Sarajevo, at the Terme hotel, attended by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, reports the BH news agency Patria. The focus of the gathering will be on resolving unemployment, especially among young people, which is the highest in Europe in BiH.

The two-day meeting dedicated to the economic development and recovery of BiH in the last few years is organized by Ambassador Peter Sorensen, Head of the European Union Delegation to BiH, in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Embassy of the United States of America.

At the beginning of the Forum, Sorensen said he was immensely pleased that experts had gathered to discuss such an important issue.

Steinmeier, on the other hand, said that the floods that hit BiH were a great disaster and, on behalf of his people and in his personal name, expressed his condolences to all those who are seeing their destroyed homes these days.

Steinmeier congratulated the BiH national football team on qualifying for Brazil

- Be assured that Germany and the EU will be on your side. Five million euros are already going to BiH through the EU for emergency aid. Especially for small businesses. Society is connected despite historical divisions. We heard about people helping their neighbors and opening their doors to the unfortunate. Companies have provided machinery. That encourages me. People have passed the test. And you need reforms. We will support the EU package for BiH - said Steinmeier.

He added that 20 years after the war in BiH, things are not good, as there is a lot of unemployment and corruption.

- You have educated young people and the support of your neighbors. Now it is important for the Government and political elites to respond to the people - said Steinmeier.

Stating that this is a fateful moment for BiH, he noted that Germany has provided BiH with 600,000 euros for demining.

- This EU package for development is now even more important. The German economy did not fall from the sky. We had problems 10 years ago and we know how you feel. Changes must also come in politics, trade unions, and society - Steinmeier conveyed.

In his further speech, Steinmeier emphasized that the EU has given the Western Balkans a perspective for membership.

- Germany and BiH are connected. 250,000 people from BiH live in Germany. These people are an asset. We want to increase interest - added Steinmeier.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Ali Babacan, stated that Turkey has helped BiH, but will do so again.

- This is an important meeting, and Turkey wants to strengthen dialogue in the region - said Babacan.