International Paneuropean Union President, Alain Terrenoire, strongly condemned what he called "the stigmatisation of Bosnia and Herzegovina," following the statement of French President Emmanuel Macron who called Bosnia a “time-bomb” that is facing the problem of returning jihadists.

Bosnia demonstrated the wish to bravely and resolutely fight terrorism, which is threatening the whole Europe, said Terrenoire, adding that he strongly objects any stigmatisation of the country on his own and on the behalf of the organisation he represents. 

The reaction comes days after Macron's interview with The Economist, where he warned Bosnia was “the time-bomb that's ticking right next to Croatia, and which faces the problem of returning jihadists,” speaking in the context of the European integration of the Western Balkans.

“By successfully overcoming the national, cultural and religious barriers, all peoples of southeast Europe want to live together and gather inside the European Union to strengthen the peace and to contribute to economic and social development,” he said.

Terrenoire earlier sent a protest note to the French President, expressing disagreement over France's blocking of the accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania.

He wrote in the letter that such moves open the space for the external influence of other powers who favour the current EU policy.