Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs met with the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Norway for the Western Balkans

Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH), Darijana Filipović, Saša Magazinović, and Sabina Ćudić, met today with the Special Envoy of the Kingdom of Norway for the Western Balkans, Eirik Mathisen. 

The members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs emphasized that Euro-Atlantic integration and accession to the European Union are key foreign policy objectives of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They highlighted that the adoption of significant laws and the country's active participation in international organisations over the past two years demonstrate a strong commitment to this path, which, as they stated, has no alternative. 

Discussing the current political situation in the country, the Committee members pointed to the insufficient democratisation of institutions and the rule of law, an inefficient and politically controlled judiciary, and high-level corruption with political background as major issues hindering Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress and democratic development. 

Expressing satisfaction with the good bilateral relations between the two countries, Special Envoy Mathisen remarked that investing in friendships is highly significant and yields long-term benefits. He underscored the importance of integration processes for the countries in the region and highlighted the need for regional dialogue on matters such as economic cooperation, security, and global challenges. 

It was mutually assessed that global changes, geopolitical realignments, and conflicts have repercussions for all states worldwide, particularly for smaller countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans region. In this context, the interlocutors highlighted the harmful effects of foreign influence on all European countries and noted that this issue could serve as a focal point for future cooperation between Norway and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  (End)