SARAJEVO, November 11 (FENA) – The Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Ian Borg, has called on all political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to abandon divisive narratives and contribute to creating a truly constructive atmosphere that will lead to tangible progress for all citizens of the country.

Following a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, Borg emphasized that his visit affirms a long-standing and strong partnership with BiH in joint efforts for greater prosperity and stability.

He stated that he will visit Jablanica today and expressed his deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the recent catastrophic floods.

He stressed that the motto under which Malta chaired the OSCE in 2024 was and remains “greater resilience, better security.”

“As Bosnia and Herzegovina rebuilds what has been lost, it is important not only to repair the damage but also to build a stronger society and lay foundations that can prevent natural risks from turning into future disasters. Our mission in this country is ready to support the competent authorities at all levels of government to achieve this goal,” he said.

He noted that he is aware of the challenging political situation in BiH, which is why he decided to continue working with partners to find ways to overcome the most pressing issues facing the citizens.

“As we approach the 30th anniversary of peace in BiH, strengthening stability and prosperity is an opportunity for action and should remain a priority for everyone. It is crucial to continue working further, building on the progress BiH has already achieved, he stated.

He believes that compromise among decision-makers and community leaders is crucial and is not a sign of weakness but responsible leadership.

“This approach is necessary for effectively addressing issues in key areas such as strengthening good governance, the rule of law, and fully committing to fighting corruption. Gender-based violence remains a significant problem that requires continuous action. Every case of violence against women and femicide is a serious security issue for the OSCE,” Borg emphasized.

The BiH Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of the OSCE Mission to BiH and expressed hope that everyone will recognize the need to make maximum efforts to unblock the process within that organization.

He added that the OSCE is one of the few platforms where Russia still has full membership and that everything functions, but this functionality could be jeopardized if problems are not resolved by the end of this year.

“We in BiH are particularly aware of the importance of this mission. I have had several opportunities to collaborate with them on projects at all levels of government. The quality of their staff and their presence in BiH demonstrate the significance of this organization,” he stated.

He also emphasized that the presence of the OSCE in BiH during these challenging times is very important and encouraging.

“We have two clear opportunities thanks to the EU’s positive approach to BiH: to use the Growth Plan to enhance and strengthen our economy and make our market even more attractive, thereby attracting investors,” Konaković said.

On the other hand, he added, there are threats posed by the negative and malign influence of certain individuals who do not care about the development of BiH, complicating or slowing down its European path.

“The challenge is to unblock the European path, and I hope that BiH leaders will recognize the opportunity presented by the Growth Plan and European integration, where, after a long time, the doors are wide open for BiH’s full membership,” he emphasized.

Konaković noted that they also discussed the aggression against Ukraine, in which BiH strongly supports the Ukrainian people’s fight for freedom.

He expressed hope that the war would come to an end as soon as possible and that solutions satisfying the interests of the Ukrainian people would be sought through dialogue.