Austria sees the unity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an essential condition for security and stability of the whole region, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart told a press conference on Friday after the meeting with his Bosnian counterpart Bisera Turkovic.

Linhart arrived in Sarajevo on Thursday for a two-day visit, his first trip after he took office earlier this month, where he met Sarajevo Mayor, three Presidency members, Bosnian Foreign Affairs Minister, international envoy Christian Schmidt and Austrian troops, who serve in Bosnia as a part of the EU military deployment (EUFOR).

The Austrian diplomat greeted the media in fluent Bosnian, emphasising that this was his first visit as the Austrian FM.

"It is a great honour and pleasure to be in Sarajevo today and thank you very much for the warm welcome," #Austria FM @LinhartBMEIA told media in fluent Bosnian, following the meeting with his #BiH counterpart Bisera Turkovic. He also said this was his first trip as Austrian FM. https://t.co/r1FEYF7yz6

— N1english (@N1info) October 15, 2021

“It is completely clear that the future of BiH is in the European Union. We, as Europe, must extend our hand to BiH and the region even more resolutely. We, as Austria, have to be partners to the forces who connect and be a reliable supporter to what is moving the whole country forward,” he stressed.

Linhart also said he met with entrepreneurs who told him that the country needs a safe and stable environment as well as functional country for successful economy.

“Austria, EU and BiH must act together and pull together the same end of the rope in order to reach the goal we have ahead of us,” he underlined.

The minister emphasised the importance of having everyone in BiH work together on the road to the EU.

He also said Bosnia and Herzegovina is in his heart but that the entire region holds a great importance.

“To me, this visit means that the EU is not complete without the membership of the Western Balkan countries and that the security and stability in this region are very important for Europe,” he concluded.

Turkovic also addressed the reporters, saying among other things that it is of “vital importance for the security and stability of BiH and the whole region” to extend the EUFOR's mandate in BiH.

She also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation, which would provide stability and a chance to the youth to build their future in their home countries.