Members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a two-day working visit to the Republic of Slovenia

A delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH) led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Mladen Bosić, and Deputy Speakers Šefik Džaferović and Borjana Krišto, are in a two-day official visit to the Republic of Slovenia.

Members of the Collegium spoke today with the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia Milan Brglez. Speaker Bosić expressed satisfaction during the meeting that the issue of former Ljubljanska Banka depositor’s has begun settling. “Slovenia is a friendly country which gives us support on our European integration’s path, and we hope that you will help us and engage with these new unfounded visa measures for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union's intention to introduce a fee for registration and entry into the EU, which would represent a psychological barrier to our citizens who travel. We have a balanced foreign trade with Slovenia, but it is necessary to increase the presence of Slovenian investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would contribute to faster economic development”- emphasised Speaker Bosić during the meeting.

Deputy Speaker Šefik Džaferović proposed to Slovenian colleagues signing of the Protocol on the Parliamentary Cooperation, similar to the one that Bosnia and Herzegovina has recently signed with Italy and Hungary. “We ask from Slovenia for continued support of the Euro-Atlantic path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is important to continue talking about the status and rights of the Slovenian citizens originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Economic and cultural cooperation between the two friendly countries is good, but we expect to further improve it in the future”, said, among other things, Džaferović.

Deputy Speaker Borjana Krišto reflected on the good relations between the two countries and thanked Slovenia for its assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the recent floods. She stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina functions in the situation of an imposed Constitution which has no legitimacy and represents an obstacle to the overall progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “No new member joined the European Union without previously amending the Constitution, so I am convinced that Bosnia and Herzegovina will have to amend the Dayton’s Constitution before it becomes a full member of the European Union. Safe BiH means a secure and stable region, and I believe that this is our common goal”, said Krišto during the meeting.

President of the National Assembly of Slovenia, Dr. Milan Brglez pointed out that Europe and the European Union is currently facing a number of challenges, the largest one being the migrant crisis, the referendum in the UK and the new US administration.

Members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of the PA BiH signed the Golden book of guests and invited the host to return the visit next year to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Meeting of members of the Collegium with the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Miro Cerar is scheduled for tomorrow. (End)