Vienna (PK) – The rapprochement of the Western Balkans with the EU remains a central concern of Austria, emphasized the President of the National Council, Sobotka, in a meeting with the parliamentary presidium of Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of his two-day visit to Sarajevo. Austria and the EU are “coming together” in this sense and the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the EU, he emphasized to the president of the Chamber of Nations, Kemal Ademović, his vice-president Nikola Špirić and deputy Zdenko Ćosić, as well as well as Vice President of the House of Representatives Nebojša Radmanović and Denis Zvizdic.
At today's working meeting, parliamentary leaders discussed new developments in the integration process and associated challenges. Austria will continue to work towards the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the EU, but at the same time the country must fulfill its tasks and, in particular, accept the upcoming legal reforms. Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina stressed the importance of quickly starting accession negotiations to further strengthen the will for reform in the country and as a signal to the population. Sobotka also described relations between Serbia and Kosovo as a “bottleneck” on the entire region's path towards the EU, in which more efforts are needed towards normalization. Austria is committed to the gradual integration of the Western Balkan States into different areas of European policy. Specifically for Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is important to seize the opportunities offered by the EU growth plan and develop a corresponding reform agenda, Sobotka said.
Exchange on internal and external security
In addition to the EU integration process and several projects within the scope of parliamentary cooperation, aspects of security policy were at the center of the exchange. Participants at the meeting agreed that the unity of Europe, including the Western Balkan countries, is becoming increasingly important from a geostrategic and security policy point of view. Sobotka welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress in combating organized crime through the definitive creation of a Europol contact point and efforts in managing migration through the introduction of a new action plan.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Sobotka emphasized the need for a united approach by the EU and candidate states, strategic patience and continued pressure on Russia. Awareness of Russian disinformation and destabilization attempts must also be increased, especially in view of the upcoming elections, as Sobotka highlighted. Austria is also committed to a full and independent investigation of war crimes and continues to support sanctions against Russia, Sobotka said.
The situation in Israel and Gaza was also discussed. It was emphasized that international humanitarian law is non-negotiable and must apply to all parties involved. Austria clearly supports Israel and its right to self-defense, Sobotka explained. At the same time, it condemns the violence of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and provides humanitarian aid in Gaza and the region.
During his visit, National Council President Sobotka also met with the mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karić, as well as Jakob Finci, the president of the Jewish community, and the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Husein Kavazović. (End) wit