Russia’s war in Ukraine has caused “far-reaching security, political, social and economic instability” in the Western Balkans and significantly affected food prices in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bisera Turkovic, said at a meeting organised by Italy in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), within the scope of G7.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly welcomes Italy's initiative towards the countries most affected by the food crisis due to the war in Ukraine. Russia's aggression against Ukraine has caused far-reaching security, political, social and economic instability in the entire region, which has been especially evident in terms of resolving the issue of security and food shortages,” Turkovic said at the ‘Mediterranean Ministerial Dialogue on the Food Security Crisis’.

She noted that BiH was significantly affected by the Ukrainian crisis, which was reflected in a large increase in food prices.

“At this moment, the cooperation of all international actors and the determination of concrete measures to help endangered countries is of critical importance. Bosnia and Herzegovina's agricultural resources and potentials, although limited, are still underutilised. A strategic focus is needed on products and sectors that can be most productive and useful. We are in an uncertain situation in which the consequences of the crisis in Ukraine are seriously and negatively affecting the food sector in our country,” she said.

According to Turkovic, the spread of the conflict or the protracted war in Ukraine could further complicate global trade and lead to further rising energy and food prices in the region and beyond, which will require Bosnia and Herzegovina to take measures to alleviate the crisis.