Bosnian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic said following a meeting with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Berlin on Friday that this meeting is a proof that Bosnia and Herzegovina is getting back its rightful place on the diplomatic stage.

“We received a positive response for the bilateral meeting very quickly. There is no need to spend too much words on how important and reliable partner Germany is to Bosnia and Herzegovina in all segments,” Konakovic told Fena news agency, speaking from Berlin.

He also said Germany is Bosnia's most important partner in terms of trade, and the fifth investor in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which also shows the importance of good relations. He emphasised the importance in terms of the security of the entire Western Balkans, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to Konakovic, there are some new opportunities for investments, for the creation of new jobs in BiH, as well as the segment of dual citizenship.

He recalled there were some announcements earlier that Germany could solve the problem of Bosnians and Herzegovinans renouncing BiH citizenship in order to get that of Germany, “which would be a very important message for us”.

“We also discussed the chance that was given to our country on the European path by obtaining candidate status and the beginning of the implementation of our obligations from 14 priorities. It seems that we have also shown a certain degree of seriousness and that we can now count on some next steps,” said Konakovic.

He stressed it was very important that the Council of Ministers has already adopted some documents “that were waiting in the drawers, and which was very well received here.”

“Of course, that is still not enough, but it is a good start, so our friends can help us more easily on our European journey,” Konakovic said.

Before the meeting with Baerbock, BiH FM met with representatives of the Bosnian diaspora.

“In each of our official visits to all countries, we try to gather Bosnians and Herzegovinians who represent associations or individuals and we discuss the ties with the homeland and the problems they encounter in foreign countries, and about what the ministry could do for them,” he stressed.