Turković wrote to officials after Orban's statement: Has Europe's policy changed?

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Bisera Turković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, sent a letter to high-ranking European officials following recent statements by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Turković sent the letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Hungarian Head of Diplomacy Peter Szijjarto, as well as French Minister of Foreign Affairs Yves Le Drian, as France will soon take over the presidency of the European Union.

"Prime Minister Orbán's statement at the conference introduces the issue of religious affiliation of a part of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a challenge or problem in the process of Bosnia and Herzegovina's integration into the European Union. This has caused great concern and fear among the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Turković.

She reminds that the Council of the EU adopted the Commission's conclusions on BiH's membership application, in which the Commission stated 14 key priorities for our country's accession to the European Union. She points out that none of these priorities cover or address the issue of religious affiliation.

"None of these 14 priorities, nor any of the fundamental European criteria, principles, and achievements of the European Union, cover or address the issue of religious affiliation of anyone, including the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Political positions behind such statements threaten to undermine not only the strength and role of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina but also the idea of Europe as a progressive, democratic, and open environment that respects human rights, humanity, and the values of all," she said.

Turković said it would be good for the EU to state openly and transparently if there has been a change in enlargement policy, in the direction Orbán spoke.

"If there has indeed been a change in European policy and enlargement policy in the direction that Prime Minister Orbán is talking about, and if religious diversity is now taken into account in the process of European integration, we ask that this be registered openly, transparently, and officially," Turković emphasized.

She stressed that Viktor Orbán was right in one part of his statements when he spoke about Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina has existed for centuries as a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state, and it is important that any change in the European Union's policy on this issue be communicated to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to other countries in the integration process. Also, we want to emphasize that in one part of his address, Prime Minister Orbán is right: Bosnia and Herzegovina is the key to stability in the Balkans," she wrote.

In conclusion of her letter, Turković emphasized that a world in which political power, religious affiliation, race, or ethnic origin define individual and collective rights is actually a world of apartheid, injustice, and crime.

"The Europe we know and to which we geographically and spiritually belong, has stood against such policies. We hope it will continue to do so," concluded Minister Turković.