Bosnia's Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic met her Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic in Belgrade on Monday, in what she said was an excellent start of cooperation between the two countries, following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.
“If we don't talk, some things remain at a standstill. We have good neighbourly relations, we have to foster them to make them stronger and more dynamic. I'm glad we agreed to resume the bilateral meetings of the two governments, the Government of Serbia and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Turkovic told reporters following the meeting.
She pointed out the opening of Bosnia's consulate in Novi Pazar, Bosniak-dominated town in Serbia's Sandzak region, as a burning issue.
“There is an objective need of your citizens, but also certain reciprocity. We gave our consent for the opening of Serbia's consulates in (Bosnian towns) Mostar, Drvar and Banja Luka, there's no reason for you not to do the same,” added Turkovic.
Speaking of the state border issues, she said the competent commission is already dealing with the matter.
“If problems exist, they have to be solved in talks and meetings. The two of us have an agreement on this matter,” said Turkovic.
As for the issue of illegal migrants, head of Bosnia's diplomacy stressed that both countries are dealing with this problem and see how to solve it.
FM Dacic thanked his Bosnian counterpart for accepting the invitation to discuss the open issues and improve already good bilateral relations.
“I hope her term will be marked with the improvement of our bilateral relations. We believe that our communication during the pandemic was at a high level. As far as we're concerned, we agreed to have often meetings, annual visits, one in Belgrade another in Sarajevo. We welcome the relaxation of measures concerning the pandemic and opening of borders. We're glad we made this decision mutually,” said Dacic, calling on other neighbouring countries to follow this example so that the citizens encounter no problems while crossing the borders.
“I told minister Turkovic we're paying huge attention to relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Dacic, adding that his country supports territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement, the peace treaty which ended the Bosnian 1992-95 war and contains the State Constitution.
“We don't want to interfere with the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and we will respect any agreement,” he added.
Serbia is interested in the stability of the region, Dacic stressed, adding that the two countries are ready to support each other while respecting each other's interests.
“We must rely on each other at any moment, sincerely, in a wish to do everything practically, to look to the future. There are issues from the past, we shouldn't ignore them. The borders, missing persons, old foreign currency savings, some judgements, succession. We need to talk about that,” said Dacic.
