SARAJEVO, JUNE 14 (ONASA) – Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Denisa Bećirović, said at the Summit within the framework of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Skopje that Bosnia and Herzegovina wants good relations with the countries in the region, based on mutual appreciation and respect, and that is why actively participates in a series of regional initiatives, with the aim of improving cooperation in the region.
He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina considers it particularly important to join the Common Regional Market, within the framework of the Berlin process, and that it is interested in the implementation of this initiative, because it helps the integration of our countries into the EU single market.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the door of the EU and NATO. In March of this year, an important step towards EU membership was made. The European Council made a decision on the opening of EU negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a huge encouragement for the citizens of our country. I use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the EU and NATO for their dedication and support to Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the future of the region, it is very important that we work to affirm the truth and restore trust between the states,” said Bećirović.
He stated that the adoption of the Resolution on the International Day of Remembrance and Commemoration of the Genocide in Srebrenica represents a highly moral and civilizing act of the United Nations General Assembly, and that the adopted Resolution is equally important for the UN as well as for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The highest courts of the UN (the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia) ruled that genocide was committed against Bosniaks in the UN safe zone of Srebrenica. So, the highest courts of the UN proved what happened in Srebrenica. These are court verdicts that cannot be erased from the history of the UN and humanity. The UN General Assembly supported the established legal facts and adopted the Resolution,” said Bećirović.
He underlined that it is important for the entire region to be committed to strengthening the culture of peace and encouraging justice, to turning to the future and not to the past, to the process of reconciliation in the region, to the institutional protection of the legacy of the UN courts, to the condemnation of the policy of glorifying war criminals, to the prevention of genocide, for the affirmation of the culture of memory, for dialogue and the construction of an inclusive society, and for educational systems that will be in the function of genocide prevention.
“As chairman of the BiH Presidency, I especially want to emphasize that there are no genocidal nations. War criminals must not hide behind entire nations. The resolution is a new chance for catharsis and a civilized settlement with those responsible for the committed genocide. Regional cooperation has great potential and development opportunities. We learn from the experience of Western countries. Those countries moved strongly forward after they definitely gave up on large-state projects,” said Bećirović.
He stated that the common interest of all the countries of the region is the strengthening of functional democracy and the rule of law; strengthening of independent and efficient judiciary; fight against corruption and organized crime; ensuring human rights and civil liberties; improving resistance to cyber attacks, manipulation and misinformation; strengthening media freedom; promoting the energy transition; investment in renewable energy projects; reduction of air pollution and decarbonization of Southeast Europe.
“Only together can we implement the Green Agenda and ensure a healthier and more sustainable environment for generations to come. By cooperating on an equal basis, we can build a safer and more economically prosperous region; develop modern and efficient traffic infrastructure; encourage new investments; improve regional trade; promote cross-border partnerships, encourage economic growth and cultural exchange, and speed up the socio-economic development of our region”, believes Bećirović.
He added that the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine caused a structural geopolitical earthquake, which is also reflected in our region.
“This is the biggest turning point of the XXI century. century. Its influence on the European security architecture, political order and economy is colossal. The world we knew until February 24, 2022 is gone. Membership in NATO is the only serious guarantee of security. The expansion of NATO simultaneously means the suppression of gray areas. Therefore, the completion of the NATO expansion policy process in the Western Balkans represents an investment in collective stability and security,” Bećirović claims.
He pointed out that under the strong influence of Moscow, the authorities of the BiH entity Republika Srpska are dangerously endangering the Dayton Peace Agreement, selectively interpreting that agreement and undermining the independence, sovereignty and statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina and endangering peace and stability with such irresponsible policy.
“We should especially warn about the danger of politics that advocates changing state borders in Southeast Europe. BiH is a reliable partner for regional cooperation. I believe that together we can make an important contribution to strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for this part of Europe. Also, I use this opportunity to thank you for your support for the election of Amer Kapetanović as Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). As the host country of the RCC Secretariat, BiH will help the RCC Secretariat to perform its duties efficiently, with the aim of successful functioning and strengthening of regional cooperation”, said Bećirović, the Presidency of BiH announced.