prijava
SARAJEVO, June 12 (FENA) - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Josip Brkić met with Political Director at the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Marschik.
They discussed, among other things, priorities of Austrian chairmanship of the EU, European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of BiH, political situation in BiH, regional relations and migrant issues.
They stated they are pleased with friendly and developed relations between BiH and Austria, with recorded progress in all areas of cooperation. Deputy Minister Brkić emphasized that integration path of BiH is path of strengthening of European values in BiH and he thanked for Austria's support in process of Euro-Atlantic integration of BiH. He emphasized that idea of perspective of membership in the EU unites the region and that European integration secures peace and stability.
Political Director in the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Marschik informed Deputy Brkić about priorities of Austrian chairmanship of the EU Council, which Austria is taking over from Bulgaria on July 1. Austrian priorities during chairmanship of the EU Council under motto Europe which Protects will be security and fight against illegal migration, preservation of competitiveness through digitalization and stability in the neighborhood (especially the pre-accession process of the Western Balkans in the EU).
He emphasized that Austria supports the European perspective of BiH and the entire region and that integration of the Western Balkans in the EU is one of the fundamental foreign policy aims of Austria. He said that security in the region will also enable security in other areas, in economic and social context. During the next six months Austrian chairmanship of the EU has the aim for the Western Balkan countries to join the high level meetings on current issues of the EU members.
Brkić said BiH has high expectations from Austrian chairmanship of the EU Council because it sees it as a positive platform for Western Balkan countries joining the EU.
They also exchanged views on current situation in BiH and need for amendments to the Election Law of BiH. They agreed it is necessary to find a solution as soon as possible to amend the Election Law and enable implementation of results of the upcoming General Elections, based on decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH.
Topic of the meeting was also the growing number of migrants and new migrant routes in the region and possible steps to prevent the recurrence of the migrant crisis from 2015, PR Office of BiH MFA stated.
(FENA) A. B.
