Relations in region "never better" - Bosnian FM

SARAJEVO Relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia are on the upswing, Bosnian Foreign Minister Zlatko Lagumdzija has said. The leadership of Serbia is obviously more than willing to improve relations with its neighbors, particularly with Bosnia-Herzegovina, he noted. Relations in region "never better" - Bosnian FM "I think the climate in the entire region is better now than it was in the past 15 years," Lagumdzija told Tanjug. Relationship between any two countries in the region, especially in the group of countries made up of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, and also Montenegro, have never been better, despite the many open issues, said Lagumdzija, who is also deputy chairman of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Council of Ministers. Commenting on the upcoming joint meeting of the Council of Ministers and the Serbian government, which has been postponed due to a Bosnian government reshuffle, Lagumdzija said that the meeting is a milestone in overall relations between Bosnia and Serbia. The meeting, Lagumdzija said, carries “a lot of content and symbolism.” It is seen as an opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and step up cooperation and is therefore awaited with great impatience. One of the major open-ended questions is the border question, as it has not been fully drawn yet formally. Another issue is the claims of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia states for their share of the former country, and the resolution of property issues. “I believe that we will be able to resolve these issues. During my last visit to Belgrade, I had meetings with Ivica Dacic, Vucic and Mrkic and I really saw an openness to our working together,” said Lagumdzija. The meeting will be a good opportunity to discuss starting certain economic and other projects, pointing out that Bosnia-Herzegovina is preparing for the World Cup in Brazil, "where the country does not have an embassy mission, and Belgrade has." "I expect that Serbia will help us there, and I have found an open door," Lagumdzija said. Lagumdzija said that Serbia has made great strides in European integration, especially after the April 19 Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, while Bosnia-Herzegovina is still where it was 12 years ago. "I wish to congratulate Serbia for its achievements on the European path, "Lagumdzija said, adding that he was "happy about Croatia’s becoming an EU member, as it will help Bosnia-Herzegovina move faster on its road to Europe." He stressed that Bosnia-Herzegovina foreign policy consists of three main objectives, which are also the three “instruments of change” for domestic affairs – the EU, moving towards NATO integration and regional cooperation. (Beta, file) Tanjug

Relations in region "never better" - Bosnian FM

"I think the climate in the entire region is better now than it was in the past 15 years," Lagumdžija told Tanjug.

Relationship between any two countries in the region, especially in the group of countries made up of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, and also Montenegro, have never been better, despite the many open issues, said Lagumdžija, who is also deputy chairman of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Council of Ministers.

Commenting on the upcoming joint meeting of the Council of Ministers and the Serbian government, which has been postponed due to a Bosnian government reshuffle, Lagumdžija said that the meeting is a milestone in overall relations between Bosnia and Serbia.

The meeting, Lagumdžija said, carries “a lot of content and symbolism.” It is seen as an opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and step up cooperation and is therefore awaited with great impatience.

One of the major open-ended questions is the border question, as it has not been fully drawn yet formally. Another issue is the claims of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia states for their share of the former country, and the resolution of property issues.

“I believe that we will be able to resolve these issues. During my last visit to Belgrade, I had meetings with Ivica Dačić, Vučić and Mrkić and I really saw an openness to our working together,” said Lagumdžija.

The meeting will be a good opportunity to discuss starting certain economic and other projects, pointing out that Bosnia-Herzegovina is preparing for the World Cup in Brazil, "where the country does not have an embassy mission, and Belgrade has."

"I expect that Serbia will help us there, and I have found an open door," Lagumdžija said.

Lagumdžija said that Serbia has made great strides in European integration, especially after the April 19 Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Priština, while Bosnia-Herzegovina is still where it was 12 years ago.

"I wish to congratulate Serbia for its achievements on the European path, "Lagumdžija said, adding that he was "happy about Croatia’s becoming an EU member, as it will help Bosnia-Herzegovina move faster on its road to Europe."

He stressed that Bosnia-Herzegovina foreign policy consists of three main objectives, which are also the three “instruments of change” for domestic affairs – the EU, moving towards NATO integration and regional cooperation.