Bosnian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic addressed the "Dubrovnik Forum 2024" in Croatia today, discussing Bosnia and Herzegovina's path towards the European Union and Russia's influence in the region.

“The European Union is now concrete and sincere. The conclusions from March are possible for my country. We need to adopt several more laws, such as the Law on Courts, Personal Data, and the Border Law. These are not political issues; they are technical matters. We still do not have a budget. Moscow is overly present in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Russian Federation is too involved in all the countries of the Western Balkans,” Konakovic stated.

During the panel discussion, Minister Konaković reflected on the EU enlargement process and the progress Bosnia and Herzegovina has made. He emphasized that certain processes that enabled progress and led to the European Council's decision to open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently halted.

He attributed this halt to the visit of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik to Russian President Putin on June 6 this year. He highlighted that it is clear Dodik is under Russian control and is blocking the European path for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Konakovic reiterated his belief in dialogue, despite knowing the consequences, as dialogue is not popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially with those who deny genocide and celebrate war crimes. He stressed the need to pursue dialogue for political responsibility and the future of the country. He reminded that progress is possible because the coalition at the state level in the Council of Ministers, which includes Dodik, has managed to implement certain reforms and adopt 16 laws. Konakovic expressed hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue the reform process on the European path, especially concerning the Growth Plan, which will enable economic progress and halt the emigration of young people from the country. He also discussed regional relations and enhancing cooperation, emphasizing Croatia's significant role in supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's European integration.

Other panel participants included Kosovo's* Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman, Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani, North Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski, Serbian State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nikola Stojanovic, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O’Brien, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkans regional issues Miroslav Lajcak, and the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt.