prijava
PODGORICA, June 4 (FENA) - Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović continued today their official meetings with Montenegrin officials during an official and working visit to the country, which was an opportunity to summarize mutual relations in the region.
As the President of Montenegro Mile Đukanović stated at the press conference, relations are very good and the interlocutors were able to talk about everything, including the topics from the past without any complexes, but also even more about common interests for the future which are certainly the path to the European Union and NATO.
The interlocutors confirmed the good relations, emphasizing the special importance of the interstate border agreement.
They discussed common goals, and Đukanović expressed a belief that the long absence of all Western Balkan countries from the European Union cost the region not only because of democratic and economic development, but also the urgent need for stability and improving the quality of life of citizens.
"Regardless of the challenges and despite the false alternatives that are offered to us, we must be persistent in the continuation of that path. Montenegro is following that path and achieving results, but we want everyone to achieve those goals," the Montenegrin president added.
He expressed satisfaction with the adoption of the Reform Program required for the continuation of BiH's cooperation with NATO, the establishment of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO and the efforts made to meet the 14 priorities set by the European Commission for BiH to obtain a candidate status and open negotiations with the EU.
"We are unquestionably ready to share our experiences because, in addition to friendship, we also need good European standards and results that will testify that we are moving towards the only goal, and that is the European path," he underlined.
They discussed infrastructure projects important for the entire region, such as the Adriatic-Ionian motorway and the gas pipeline, which should better connect the Western Balkans with the European Union, because the benefits of European quality of life will reach this region faster," says Đukanović.
"In this way, we will be able to shut the door to the malignant influence of third parties that are to the detriment of our region," he concluded.
The BiH Presidency member Željko Komšić expressed regret that the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Milorad Dodik, was not visiting Montenegro as well because that would have given this visit a full meaning.
He reminded that a new parliamentary majority has been formed in Montenegro and it was important to make sure that this does not mean a change in attitude towards BiH, but on the contrary, they continue as they have been so far and that is important because Montenegro is BiH's close neighbor without any open issues between us.
"There are no dilemmas about NATO in Montenegro because the dilemmas about that in Montenegro open many questions not only in relations with BiH but also beyond. We agree that our countries should be countries of respect for basic human rights in which there is room for all people, regardless of which religious group they belong to," said Komšić.
He added that the problem about the road between Šćepan Polje and Foča should be resolved soon and that is the vital interest of the citizens, and there is also the issue that the governments of the two countries are discussing, the Buk Bijela powerplant project and compensations for flooded land on Lake Bileća.
The BiH Presidency member Šefik Džaferović reminded that today's visit followed after an unpleasant situation when Dodik's veto prevented the BiH Presidency to invite and welcome Đukanović in BiH.
"A stable and prosperous Montenegro is in the interest of BiH. Montenegro is a member of NATO and is rapidly moving on its European path, and overall interethnic relations are being relaxed in the best way in Montenegro," he pointed out.
He reiterated that BiH's support for its Euro-Atlantic path was emphasized at all today's meetings, regardless of the change of government, and said that Montenegro supports a complete and democratic BiH and its path to the EU and NATO, equality of all peoples and citizens wherever they might live in BiH.
(FENA) S. R.
