Turković and Roth: Germany wants to see concrete economic reforms

(Patria) - Minister Bisera Turković held a video call on April 1, 2020 with Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. 

On that occasion, Minister Turković expressed concern about the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that the Council of Ministers and the relevant ministries at the state level of Bosnia and Herzegovina reacted very quickly with exceptionally good measures. She stressed that during this period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina carried out its part of the work, working daily 24 hours. She also informed Minister Roth that the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in an active process of meeting and making decisions.

During the conversation, Minister Turković also touched upon the process of European integration in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

„We have before us 14 priorities that have been adopted and on which Bosnia and Herzegovina must work very quickly, bring them into order, adopt and resolve them, and in that way show that we are a credible partner in thinking about starting negotiations with the EU. We are pleased that two neighboring countries, North Macedonia and Albania, have opened negotiations. That is encouraging for us. We believe that the new methodology, adopted by the EU, gives us impetus and that it is a new perspective for the entire Western Balkans to accelerate processes and prove credibility through its work,“ Turković emphasized. 

Minister Turković particularly highlighted Germany's support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and assessed that this support was and is important for unblocking the process of European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She added that it is also important for implementing key socio-economic reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the Reform Agenda. 

Minister Michael Roth said that Germany wants to see concrete results in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially when it comes to economic reforms. 

The interlocutors agreed that in this reform process, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary are extremely important in the fight against corruption and nepotism. They emphasized that it is important to fight for responsible press and information, which will reflect the real situation, and which will not be a source of disinformation and sensationalism.
They also discussed the return of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina from abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are mostly young people and those who were on temporary work. According to some indicators, it is about almost 300,000 people.

Minister Turković expressed gratitude to Minister Roth for Germany's support for the infrastructural connectivity of the Western Balkans.  She emphasized that an agreement was reached in this state of the pandemic on lines that will connect the region and on a transport corridor that currently links the entire Western Balkans. She particularly highlighted the importance of abolishing roaming between the countries of the Western Balkans and Kosovo's taxes on Bosnia and Herzegovina. She concluded that there are many prerequisites for placing the Western Balkans on the list of countries that function, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. When it comes to Euro-Atlantic integration, the minister emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina continues activities from the Reform Program, despite the pandemic, to strengthen security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the conversation, Minister Turković also touched upon the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She informed Minister Roth about the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in that process, so that the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights would finally be treated in the manner they deserve. She added that political talks have been held on this issue and that Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the right track to find a solution with the help of the Venice Commission, as it is one of the key problems that appears within the 14 priorities set before Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 Turković emphasized that many reforms and processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that this situation has united political representatives in our country for joint action, finding ways to overcome blockades and make decisions. Once again, at the end, she expressed gratitude to Germany, which shows that it is a friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that we are not alone in this situation.