Bosnian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic met European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels on Thursday, to discuss the issues related to the country's European Union integration path. Following the meeting, Konakovic spoke to N1 about the talks with Varhelyi, the opening of negotiations with the EU, relations with Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, relations in the region, but also about what will follow if Bosnia and Herzegovina opens negotiations with EU.

“Varhelyi is a good connoisseur of these topics in BiH, he knows a good part of the process, but it is different when we come to Brussels out of respect and say it in a more quality way. There is still a great pleasure over the fact that BiH is finally, after years, moving towards the European Union in the right way, by adopting the laws. We are nearing the end, the pressure is greater than ever and we need a cool head,” said Konakovic.

Law on courts – priority

There is still insistence on the Law on Courts, which is one of the priorities that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined when she visited to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to that, Konakovis stressed, Brussels also expects a solution to the integrity of the electoral process.

“That is still very little compared to what we did. We need to invest a little more effort in the next few days to bring this story to an end. Then it seems to me that no one would doubt that BiH would formally start negotiations,” he told N1.

What the ruling coalition did was exceptional, according to him.

“Thanks to the superhuman efforts of our coalition, today we brought a document which reads everything we did. If we make these last efforts and deliver the Law on Courts and resolve the integrity of the electoral legislation, we will one hundred percent open negotiations, and if not, then we enter with some more risks, which may not be so small.”

Pro-European wind

If BiH meets the requirements and opens negotiations, according to the minister, that second part should be a bit easier, and then it is the European Union's turn.

“Then it will be easier, take some reform document, present it to our public, for example, explain to our farmers why we should adopt some reform and how much it means to them. Then we would get some clean pro-European wind in the sails of pro-European politicians. And then that story would be easier, from this stage in which we were breaking thick walls. I think that it can be a little easier, and of course that intensity and continuation of reforms is imperative so that people feel in their pockets what the EU means,” he explained.

Everything is done in the interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, claims Konakovic, never anything to the detriment of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its institutions. Both entities, Republika Srpska and the Federation – every inch of Bosnia and Herzegovina are equally important, he stressed.

As for the talks with coalition partners on further reforms, Konakovic said they are ready for dialogue and that potential opening of the accession talks would facilitate a compromise in BiH.
Speaking of a possibility of the High Representative in BiH imposing changes to the electoral legislation, Konakovic said it would possibly mean a new complication.

If the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt imposes the Election Law, Konaković adds, this is a possible new complication.
The leaders, according to him, have an agreement on technical issues concerning the electoral process.