Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic described 2024 as a year of significant progress, though he acknowledged the need for greater momentum in reforms and developments. "Things are improving, not at the speed we would like, but it’s undeniable that this year was better than the last," he stated in an interview with FENA.

One of the year's key achievements, according to Konakovic, was the adoption of the UN resolution on the Srebrenica genocide. He noted it as “a fragment of justice for the victims and their families,” despite Serbia's attempts to block it through what he called a “dishonest campaign”.

Steps towards EU integration

Bosnia received the green light from Brussels to open EU accession negotiations, marking a major post-conflict success for the country on the international stage. However, Konakovic stressed the need to pass several key laws to officially start this journey toward EU membership.

The year also saw an evident strengthening of Bosnia's relationship with NATO. The country hosted a NATO Council meeting in Sarajevo, which Konakovic highlighted as a strong signal of regional security and collaboration. Additionally, a NATO Symposium with over 280 participants from 54 countries was successfully organized, drawing praise for its exceptional execution.

Despite progress, Konakovic criticized previous administrations for halting Bosnia's path to full NATO membership, opting instead for a limited cooperation framework.
Institutional development

Domestically, Konakovic underscored the adoption of the two largest budgets in Bosnia’s history, leading to improved working conditions for public institutions, enhanced border and security forces, and the first collective agreement for state employees. Legal reforms have also advanced, enabling the judiciary to tackle corruption, with several high-profile politicians now facing prosecution.

He also pointed to rulings by Bosnia's Constitutional Court that protected state assets and annulled discriminatory laws in the Republika Srpska entity, demonstrating strengthened institutional safeguards.

Challenges and hopes for 2025

Looking ahead, Konakovic expressed optimism for continued progress but warned of potential political roadblocks, particularly from the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), which he urged to commit to the EU path. Should obstruction persist, he advocated for the mobilization of pro-European forces to seize current opportunities offered by the EU.

In his New Year’s message, Konakovic wished health, success, and happiness to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the diaspora. “I hope we can collectively build a better future for our country,” he concluded.