The new building of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formally inaugurated in Belgrade today, in attendance of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ivica Dacic and Igor Crnadak respectively, who conveyed that this was a demonstration of the good bilateral relations between the two countries.
Minister Dacic said that the past could not be changed, but that the present and the future could and that this was something we should all be working on together.
“At a time of major challenges, it is essential to realize that our shared past should keep us together and not apart, therefore, it is my pleasure to be able to note that the bilateral relations between our two countries, traditional friendship and close ties between our citizens serve as an example of good-neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans region, which is a priority of Serbia’s foreign policy”, said the Serbian Foreign Minister.
The Minister underlined that he made personal efforts aimed at the further promotion of political and economic relations, expressing his belief that the opening of the new building, at a location to be the permanent address of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, would be yet another step forward in enhancing mutual relations.
“Even though we used to live in the same country, there is still no Belgrade-Sarajevo motorway, which is an idea previously brought up on several occasions, including within the Berlin Process. We see the cooperation carried out in the framework of the Berlin Process as a mechanism to contribute not only to the resolution of open issues, but also affirm mutual orientation to the development of a modern Western Balkans, heading on an accelerated pace to the full membership of the European Union, which is out common goal. Furthermore, seeing that that Serbs are one of the three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Republic of Srpska is one of the equal entities, we have a special additional interest to promote relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, endeavouring to resolve all open issues of the past through dialogue, with the awareness of our common interests in the future”, said Dacic.
Wishing the Embassy’s personnel success and best of luck in their work on the new premises, he said that this place would be a bridge of cooperation between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak thanked Minister Dacic for his attendance of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina opening ceremony, noting that the very presence of the two Ministers could in the best way convey the true and strong belief that that the two countries need to embark further on the path of understanding, better communication, higher level of confidence, a path putting all the bad things behind. Minister Crnadak expressed his belief that the messages sent at today’s event were only an introduction to what would follow, namely numerous joint projects.
“It is important that we focus on the improvement and promotion of relations, as well as to promote the Belgrade-Sarajevo dialogue, making it more open and increasing trust and readiness for a sense of community. I am confident that, according to what I have heard lately talking to our friends in the Serbian Government and the newly-elected President Aleksandar Vucic, this is indeed what will follow, which we welcome”, said Crnadak.
He also said that the special relations between Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, established in Dayton, had for a long time been perceived as an impediment to the development of the two countries’ relations which was, as he said, completely inaccurate. Minister Crnadak noted that it was the future that should be the focus from now on and that priorities should include the Belgrade-Sarajevo motorway, an improved structural connectivity and stronger economic cooperation.
According to Minister Crnadak, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzogovina are tied by identical foreign policy goals, recalling both countries’ aspirations towards the European Union.