PM Krivokapić spoke with BiH Presidency Chairman and Members: Dialogue is the right path for stability and the European future of all countries in the region

During the official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić met today with members of the Presidency of BiH, Chairman Milorad Dodik and members Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović.

PM Krivokapić informed his interlocutors about the status of the negotiation process and expressed the commitment of the Government of Montenegro, as a friend and neighbour to provide expert, technical and any other type of assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina in achieving the goals of the European agenda. "When it comes to our membership in the European Union, we have no alternative and we are not looking for it. We are convinced that the future of Montenegro and all countries in the region is certain in the European family of nations," the Prime Minister pointed out.

Prime Minister Krivokapić said that energy is a development opportunity for Montenegro, but also for BiH. "That is our potential, which has not been used," PM Krivokapić stressed.

BiH Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik expressed satisfaction with the reunion with the Prime Minister of Montenegro and assessed that the visit of the Prime Minister to Bosnia and Herzegovina is a good opportunity to continue the talks held last week on the sidelines of the Delphi Economic Forum in Athens. He pointed out that they want to have good relations with Montenegro and to respect the democratic change of government, and to give full support to the new government on the road to the EU. "BiH has a consensus for a candidacy for EU membership negotiations and there is no party or citizen who is against BiH's entry into the EU," Dodik said.

Dodik said that the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is an important process, and that vaccination is the only way to suppress it, as well as to strengthen the stability of the system.

BiH Presidency Member Željko Komšić said that with the change of government in Montenegro, there was no change in relations between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Relations between the two countries are an example of how the two governments should cooperate. Your visit will convince everyone in BiH of good neighbourly relations," Komšić said.

BiH Presidency Member Šefik Džaferović said that the visit of Prime Minister Krivokapic to BiH was well-intentioned, and that bilateral cooperation in the field of infrastructure, economy and culture should be improved. He said that the trade exchange between the two countries is not great, and that they can offer each other much more. Džaferović said that the hydro potential of both countries is extremely rich, emphasising that it is necessary to find a solution for cooperation between Montenegro and BiH, as well as the entire region. He said that he sees the future of the Western Balkan countries in the EU. "We have resolved the border issue with Montenegro, respecting international law, and we want to resolve the border issue with other neighbours as we have resolved it with Montenegro," Džaferović said.

The officials agreed that the intensity and dynamics of the meetings at the highest level in the region are a signal to the international community that they have reliable partners in the countries of the Western Balkans who resolve issues of mutual importance through dialogue and cooperation. "Dialogue is the right path for stability and the European future of all countries in the region," the meeting concluded.