Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ statement following his meeting with the Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bisera Turković (Sarajevo, 31.05.2022)

Dear Minister, dear Bisera,
It gives me such great pleasure to be back in Sarajevo. My last visit here was in January 2021.
This is my third stop in my Western Balkans tour. The key message, here, is that we are committed to the stability and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a matter of principle, I would like to underline that Greece is opposed to any discussion about border changes in the region.
Thank you for briefing me on the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including, among others, the discussion regarding the amendment of the electoral law and the limited constitutional reform. We believe that constructive and result-oriented dialogue is the most effective way to resolve problems. And, allow me to say that this needs patience and engagement with each other. The solution to the problems of the country, of any country, should come from within, not from the outside. We must be always extremely careful because third actors are seeking to increase their influence in the region, and, unfortunately, their aim is the destabilisation of our region. All Western Balkan partners should counteract external erosive influences and adhere to European principles and values.
I am happy that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made its choice for the European principles and values, and we are very supportive of this path.
Today we also addressed bilateral issues. We talked about the untapped potential of our economic and trade relations. Greece’s popularity as a tourist destination is growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina -the number of visitors has doubled- and we welcome, and thank you for, this development, for choosing us. Also, rather important things changed in the region with the inauguration of the construction of the strategic project of the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) in Alexandroupolis, a historical moment in regional energy cooperation. In the field of transport and logistics, connectivity, Greece strongly supports investments and projects for the extension of the Trans-European Transport Network to neighbouring countries, including the extension of the Mediterranean Corridor along the Corridor V to connect Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Port of Igoumenitsa. We appreciate, also, a lot, and thank you for that, that the Greek language is being taught at Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are keen on further advancing bilateral military cooperation. And thank you for your cadets who study in Greek Military Academies. We are keen on advancing our bilateral relations.
On the EU integration: we have a profound interest in advancing the EU integration of the whole of Western Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. We believe it is imperative to keep the Enlargement momentum.
And of course, we are willing to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve tangible progress on reforms and requirements for your European future. In line with the 14 priorities, and with emphasis on the constitutional and electoral reform, according to the European Commission opinion and principles. We reiterate our willingness to actively support Bosnia and Herzegovina by offering know-how on EU issues, within the framework of our bilateral Memorandum of Cooperation.
We appreciate your commitment to closer relation with the EU and especially the foreign and security policy. We are hopeful that you will continue in the same vein. And we discussed your country’s alignment with the Decisions of the EU especially regarding the Cyprus issue and the Eastern Mediterranean.
I will repeat myself by saying that Greece’s foreign policy is based upon the principles of the UN Charter. Good neighbourly relations, respect for International Law and the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, to which Bosnia and Herzegovina is a party. As well as respect of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of all states. These are our principles.
And I think Sarajevo is the perfect place in Europe to repeat that revisionism has no place in the modern world. That it cannot be tolerated no matter where it comes from. That our continent has suffered enough throughout history. And we must put an end to suffering now. And we should all move forward towards our common European future, of which Bosnia and Herzegovina should become a proud member.
Thank you so much for your kind hospitality. It is always such a great pleasure to come to Sarajevo and see you. And I wait to see you in Athens soon.
JOURNALIST: I would like to ask Mr. Dendias what is the message of this tour, of the Western Balkans tour, what are the [inaudible]
N. DENDIAS: Well, for us it is quite clear. The meaning of this tour is that we believe in the European future of the Western Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina is one very important country in the Western Balkans. And we believe that the Western Balkans have suffered enough throughout history and now it is time to move to another phase, the phase of cooperation, stability and of prosperity.
And since we, Greece, have been the first country of the Balkans to become a member of the EU, and a very proud member of the EU, we would like to assist, in any way we can, others to follow this path, which we believe will be the best for our region.

Source