German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the Munich Security Conference that Bosnian Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik's behaviour is unacceptable and that she could not reveal her future moves, but that she could say that she would be coming to the region soon. Baerbock told N1 that Germany has a responsibility towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also the Balkan region.

“We mustn’t close our eyes and turn our backs on the Balkans. I must honestly say here that this is what the former government headed by Chancellor Merkel did. We have a responsibility to the Balkans. We have a responsibility to Bosnia. The worst crimes and human rights violations have taken place there in recent decades. It is our responsibility not to allow everything we have done well over there in recent years to be destroyed. What I have to say is that if we leave that region, then we open the space for the engagement of other parties, and that is not only Russia but Turkey as well,” said Annalena Baerbock.

Special instructions issued to associates for the Balkan region

Baerbock pointed out that she issued instructions to her associates to pay special attention to the region.

“One of the first things I did when I became a minister was to make it clear that the things Dodik is doing are not acceptable. It is a violation of everything we have agreed on. We must ensure that the people there live in peace and that there are no new divisions in the region. What am I doing about it? I can't tell you that yet… but I can say that we are investing a lot of energy and my ministry is working on it. I will travel there soon and they will repeat the message that we will stand very close with the region,” Minister Baerbock pointed out.

Speaking about the EU enlargement, the German chief of diplomacy said the EU must be very clear in that process.

“We can't just say here are the basic rules. And then when it comes to the entry of North Macedonia and others to say that we change our minds. If we are talking about a responsible partnership, then we must be reliable and secure partners and help the citizens of the region. We must support countries that follow a democratic path and share the values of the European Union,” Baerbock concluded.