Najave

Chairwoman Krišto at Berlin Process Western Balkans Summit in Tirana

Najave

10/16/2023

Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Borjana Krišto attended a Summit of Western Balkan Leaders within the Berlin Process, taking plane in Tirana. 

The Summit featured Prime Ministers of the Western Balkan countries, namely: Edi  Rama, Dritan Abazović, Ana Brnabić, Dmitar Kovačevski, and Albin Kurti, in addition to President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pit Muca, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Netherlands Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michell, European Commissioner  for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz.

In her address at the “Integration of the region into single market and improvement of harmonisation with EU Acquis”, Chairwoman Krišto said today’s Summit is an opportunity for joint approach to solving current challenges, in order to arrive at the common aim, membership of the region in the European Union. She said the road of a full membership is not easy one, however decisiveness must be shown through embarking serious reforms in all segments of social life, as the European Union enlargement to countries of the region is key for maintaining lasting peace, stability and prosperity both in the region, as well as in the European continent. She added that Bosnia and Herzegovina commends especially a new European Commission Growth Plan for the Western Balkans region, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented at the Bratislava Forum this May.

Chairwoman Krišto briefed the Summit on progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European road and adoption of a series of laws and documents from the European agenda. She added that a Programme of Integration to the EU is currently in the process of development. She emphasised a full harmonisation of foreign policy of our country with common foreign and security policy of the European Union. She underlined the importance of soon opening of negotiation process of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the European Union which would contribute to ensuring security and stability, with boosting democracy and rule of law in our country and in counties of the region, as well. She said she was pleased by recent visit by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and looking forward to having the up-coming Progress Report by the European Commission.

Topics at the working lunch were regional cooperation, good neighbourly relations and bilateral issues. Chairwoman Krišto said regional cooperation remains key and irreplaceable factor on our way to the EU and it is at the foundation of Bosnia and Herzegovina foreign policy. She confirmed that we remain equally devoted to strengthening of political dialogue, good neighbourhood relations, peace and stability in the region, with further strengthening of regional cooperation within the existing initiatives, confidence building, and peaceful dispute-solving with respect of sovereignty within international norms, all for the aim of fulfilment of our shared strategic aim – full membership in the European Union. She added that the Berlin Process is key for development and up-grading of bilateral relations of countries of the region, and an extremely important tool for development and acceleration of the European integrations.

At the “Support to Green and Digital Transition of Western Balkans: Challenges and Opportunities for Investment” Panel, Chairwoman Krišto said energy transition is imperative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, because it is the only way to secure stability and security of the system, with shifting to clean sources of energy. She said she personally sees it positive that the tackling with climate changes, besides all challenges, remains one of main priorities of the European Union. She stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina takes maximum effort for our country to keep the pace with global trends and changes, and that the energy sector transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents a complex issue and major challenge.

Chairwoman Krišto said the energy transition in our country would demand significant investments to technology and low carbon infrastructure, which necessitates foreign investments attraction. She added that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs support in this segment, primarily financial one, since energy transition is impossible to implement without considerable financial resources, and BIH cannot secure them on its own. She emphasised that technical assistance is equally important for success of the process, in terms of assisting relevant institutions in designing and implementation of complex activities. She stated dedication of Bosnia and Herzegovina for strengthening cooperation and openness for exchange of knowledge, experiences, and good practice on the road towards the joint aim, Europe as the first climate neutral continent by 2050.

The Chairwoman said the Council of Ministers and tis institutions work actively on development of a modern, competitive, environmentally and climate sustainable energy system, which would enable direct domestic and foreign investment attraction, to contribute to job creation and increased competitiveness of this important sector.

At the end of her address, Chairwoman Krišto send a personal gratitude to all Summit participants and our European friends for their considerable support and commitment to the European future of the Western Balkan countries.

At the end of the Summit, agreed were Conclusions and Joint Declarations of the Western Balkans countries, as an Annex to said Conclusions. The Summit Conclusions stressed the importance of regional cooperation in the Western Balkans in context of the current geopolitical insecurity on the European soil. The importance was underlined of strengthening of trade, energy and transport links among six countries of the Western Balkans, as well as between the region and EU. A need for bridging over social and economic gap between the Western Balkans and EU was stressed. It highlighted a need for a close mutual cooperation and, when appropriate, closer cooperation with the EU in various domains of policy, like Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA), facilitation of trade and transport, telecommunications and digitalisation, climate, energy, agriculture, security, youth, education, science, and Roma integration.

At the Summit final session, Chairwoman Krišto and Prime Ministers of other countries signed an Agreement on recognition of professional qualifications of nurses, veterinarians, pharmacists and midwifes, in the context of CEFTA Agreement.

The Federal Republic of Germany will host the Western Balkan Countries Summit in 2024, at the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process.

Video recording of Chairwoman Krišto’s statement is available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNSc2KhrYA

Link for photos: https://rb.gy//hw669

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