Members of the Friendship Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH PA) for neighboring countries spoke with members of the Friendship Group of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria

Deputy Chair of the Friendship Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH PA) for neighboring countries, Rejhana Dervišević, and members of the Friendship Group Darko Babalj and Slavko Matić, as well as Marina Pendeš, delegate in the House of Peoples of the BiH PA, on behalf of the Chair of the Friendship Group Dr Dragan Čović, had meeting today in Sarajevo with members of the Friendship Group of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria, led by the Chair of the Friendship Group and member of the Green Party in the National Council of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria, Bedrana Ribo.

Emphasizing the fact that bilateral relations between the two countries are traditionally good and friendly, members of the Friendship Group of the BiH PA expressed gratitude for all  assistance provided by the Republic of Austria to our country in the previous period, particularly, as highlighted, in the economic and political spheres regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina's path towards the European Union (EU).

They informed the distinguished guests about the way on which the political representatives are elected in the highest legislative institution of BiH, and discussed the current political relations in the country, following, as emphasized, the important decision of EU institutions to grant the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Members of the Friendship Group of the Austrian Parliament emphasized that they are happy every time they pay visit to friendly BiH, and expressed their belief that the place of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region is in a united Europe, which, as they highlighted, primarily offers stability and security for all its members. In this regard, they stated that they will continue to provide selfless assistance in the challenging reform and integration processes ahead of our country.

At this meeting, there was also discussion on importance of dialogue and unity in BiH, education of young people and improvement of the educational system, as well as election law reform and perspectives for constitutional reforms.

At the end of the meeting, members of the Friendship Group of the BiH PA used the opportunity to invite the guest to marking of the centenary of the death of the Austrian geologist and scientist Friedrich Katzer, who, as emphasized, spent part of his working life in Sarajevo. (end)