Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic met today with Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia Aida Smajic.

Minister Selakovic emphasized that in the period ahead, the political cooperation between Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina could be intensified thus reaching the optimal level in all fields, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Selakovic said that Serbia attached special importance to the development of economic relations, both in terms of the volume of trade and the level of investments, given that Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the most important economic partners of Serbia. Furthermore, Selakovic pointed out that there was mutual interest in the revitalization of roads and railways connecting the two countries, and highlighted the importance of building infrastructure, further working on energy projects on the Drina River, as well as of joint participation on third markets.

The Serbian Foreign Minister added that he hoped that cooperation would continue through the holding of joint sessions of the Government of Serbia and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Minister Selakovic emphasized that Serbia was very interested in continuing and further intensifying cooperation through the trilateral format with Turkey, which was already running smoothly, and that it was ready at the same time for cooperation within regional and multilateral initiatives.

The Minister said that Serbia was committed to maintaining good political relations, that it supported the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the Dayton Accords, being a guarantor, and strived for active cooperation with both central and entity authorities. According to him, Serbia had an essential interest for the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it supported any agreement reached by the two entities and the three constituent peoples, but was explicitly against imposing solutions that were not the result of consensus, and believed that such moves pose a threat to the stability of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region, Selakovic said.

Minister Selakovic pointed out that Serbia was grateful to Bosnia and Herzegovina for its principled position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

Belgrade, 9 February 2021