Slovenia’s FM in BiH: We need unity to counter Russian influence in the region

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has changed the world and Europe must now show unity and counter the increase in Russian influence in the Western Balkans, Slovenia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Tanja Fajon, said after meeting with Bosnia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bisera Turkovic.

“Stability in the world has changed, especially in Europe. Russian influence in the region has increased and the EU said that unity is a key element here. We have a visa-free regime for Kosovo, the expansion of the EU to the countries of the Western Balkans is a priority, and we are looking at how we will help you politically as well. The key is the dynamics of fulfilling the priorities in order to join the EU,” Fajon said.

Fajon then spoke about Bosnia’s EU integration process.

“I am glad that I am in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo today and that I am here to speak for the first time at the time when the EU granted BiH candidate status and that is a big step towards the EU. I want to tell you to take advantage of the opportunity that has been given to you. I expect that the extended hand of the EU BiH will be accepted. After the granting of candidate status, the institutions of BiH will have to fulfil 14 key priority tasks,” she said, stressing the rule of law and media freedom as priorities.

The two ministers also discussed bilateral relations.

“We have about 100 companies with Slovenian capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The exchange of goods is increasing and amounts to around half a billion euros,” she said, adding that she will also meet with representatives of the business sector and members of the academic community in order to improve cooperation.

Turkovic expressed concern about potential “turbulences” in both Kosovo and BiH.

“We have had several attempts by Russian medical and military experts to enter BiH during the time of Covid. It turned out that they were military experts. We have announcements that lead to the destruction of this country,” she said, noting that a military parade took place in Istocno Sarajevo (East Sarajevo) at the unconstitutional January 9 celebration of the “day of Republika Srpska”.

“Criminal responsibility must be initiated for this infestation originating from Russia and neighbouring countries that had their representatives there. We listened to the national anthems of RS and Serbia at the same event, and isn’t that unusual? There is talk of the “Serbian world” and there were (Milorad) Dodik’s statements that the RS should unite with Serbia,” she said.

Turkovic argued that the president of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska (RS) entity, Milorad Dodik, would not be as he is if he was not supported by Russia and that the fact RS authorities awarded Vladimir Putin with the Order of Republika Srpska represents “a slap in the face for the entire democratic world.”