Members of the collegium of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina met with the delegation of the Friendship Group for the Western Balkans of the Senate of the Republic of France

Members of the collegium of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH) - Speaker of the House of Peoples, Kemal Ademović, Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples, Dr. Nikola Špirić, Chair of the Croatian People's Caucus, Marina Pendeš on behalf of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples Dr. Dragan Čović and MP Nihad Omerović on behalf of the Deputy Speaker of the PA BiH House of Representatives Dr. Denis Zvizdić - held a meeting today with the delegation of the Friendship Group for the Western Balkans of the Senate of the Republic of France, led by the president of the Group, Senator Marta de Cidrac.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the Chair of the Friendship Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Friendship Group for the Western Balkans, Senator Didier Mandelli and Senator Laurence Harribey, as well as the Ambassador of France to Bosnia and Herzegovina François Delmas, the participants discussed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, the continuation of the process of European the integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina after the decision of the institutions of the European Union (EU) to approve the opening of accession negotiations on membership with BiH, as well as on the internal political situation and functioning of BiH institutions, especially the bicameral BiH Parliament.

In an open conversation, the French senators emphasized that they are following the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Western Balkans region with particular attention, especially considering the further EU enlargement process. In this regard, they emphasized that France provides full support for European path of our country and that it expects further progress in the European integration process of BiH.

Expressing their gratitude for the long-term support of France, especially expressed in the decision of the EU Council on the negotiating status of BiH, the members of the collegium of both houses of the PA BiH assessed that the friendly relations of the two countries are not accompanied by better economic cooperation between BiH and France. In this regard, they supported the announced activities of the French Development Agency (AFD) in BiH and called on French senators to encourage local investors to invest more strongly in BiH.

There was also talk about the internal political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, with reference to the challenges and impacts of war conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and other global crisis situations. The role of the High Representative and his Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina was discussed, and different views were expressed on the consequences of imposed decisions. The participants also discussed the need to resolve all disputed internal issues through dialogue and compromises, as well as the upcoming local elections and amendments to the BiH Election Law.

They also talked about the possibilities of establishing better inter-parliamentary cooperation, both through meetings of the respective friendship groups and through the cooperation of parliamentary commissions. (end)