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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Bosnia-Herzegovina Serbia’s crucial partner in European integration

Belgrade/Sarajevo, 26 December 2008

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic and his counterpart from Bosnia-Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj stated today that the common goal of both countries is acquiring EU candidate status in 2009 and inclusion on the Schengen “white list”.

Vuk Jeremic, left, and Sven Alkalaj

Author: Tanjug

Jeremic stated after meeting Alkalaj that Bosnia-Herzegovina is Serbia’s crucial partner in the European integration process.

He stressed that the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region is to include the whole of Western Balkans in the EU.

He announced that Serbia will support Bosnia-Herzegovina in the country’s role as a Security Council member in the period 2010-2011, adding that Serbia expects Bosnia-Herzegovina to continue supporting Serbia.

Speaking on the open issues of succession and property, the Minister said that there is political will for finding solutions for them, adding that Serbia’s stance is that the succession issue must be resolved in its entirety.

Serbia is ready to initiate efforts in 2009 to resolve the issue of succession regarding property belonging to individuals, companies and the state, stated Jeremic.

He invited Alkalaj to visit Belgrade and once again conveyed Serbian President Boris Tadic’s invitation to the members of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, stating that it would be a great opportunity for holding a session of the interstate council of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Alkalaj said that Bosnia-Herzegovina’s territorial integrity is not under threat and that relations between the two countries are progressing despite some problems.

He stressed that Bosnia-Herzegovina has not recognised Kosovo, adding that the Kosovo issue is Serbia’s internal matter.

We do not wish to meddle in Serbia’s interior affairs and value our relations with Serbia, stated Alkalaj.

He also said that the talks with Jeremic were focused on the issues of succession, borders and Ilija Jurisic’s trial.

Alkalaj called on the Serbian government to allow Jurisic to be released on bail and offered state guarantees for Jurisic.

Jeremic also met today in Sarajevo with Deputy President of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Federation Mirsad Kebo and pointed out that in 2008 Serbia made a clear commitment to the EU integration process and is hopeful that Bosnia-Herzegovina will do the same in 2009. My visit to Sarajevo could be a turning point for relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, said Jeremic. Kebo said that he and Jeremic discussed the return of Serbs to Bosnia-Herzegovina and agreed on how to encourage Serbs to return to Canton 10 and the municipalities of Glamoc, Bosansko Grahovo and Drvar.

After talks with Republika Srpska President Rajko Kuzmanovic in Banja Luka Jeremic reiterated that as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement Serbia does not wish to interfere in the internal matters of Bosina-Herzegovina but maintains the firm stance that the Dayton Agreement can be altered only under the criteria set by the agreement.

We want a stable and prosperous Republika Srpska within a stable and prosperous Bosnia-Herzegovina and there is no doubt that we have a joint strategic goal, which is EU membership, said Jeremic.

He said that the constitution of Bosnia-Herzegovina, like the constitutions of all other democratic countries should be amended according to regulations stipulated by the constitution.

Speaking about cooperation between Serbia and Republika Srpska concerning specific projects Jeremic said that he agreed with the Republika Srpska President that that there are no problems in that respect.

He said that Kuzmanovic brought to his attention the matter of delays faced by Republika Srpska citizens in the procedure of applying for dual citizenship.

Jeremic said that the problem will be looked into and efforts will be made to simplify the procedure.

The Minister stressed that he was made very welcome in Sarajevo by Bosnia-Herzegovina Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj and Vice President Mirsad Kebo.

Speaking about the issue of state borders, Jeremic said that the borders commission will continue to work and problems will be over come very soon.

Kuzmanovic expressed his pleasure at Jeremic’s visit and said that during today’s meetings current issues and the economic situation in Republika Srpska and Bosnia-Herzegovina were discussed.

He said that talks were focused on issues relating to the agreement on special parallel relations, particularly economic, social and cultural cooperation.

Kuzmanovic said that he also talked with Jeremic about the roads network, the project for building a bridge on the River Raca, the bridge near Bratunac and the Jasenovac project.

He said that he informed the Serbian Foreign Minister about the agreement recently signed by the Bosnia-Herzegovina political leaders.

He said that he is satisfied that agreement was reached regarding amendments to the constitution and that it was decided that changes should not undermine the Dayton Agreement.

The most important fact is that it has been reiterated that Republika Srpska, within Bosnia-Herzegovina, will have Serbia’s full support, in accordance with the Dayton Agreement, said Kuzmanovic.

Jeremic also talked with Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik.