PRESS CONFERENCE

Sarajevo, December 26th, 2008.

Press Release

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Vuk Jeremić hold press conference

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Vuk Jeremić, who is officially visiting our country, held press conference on December 26th, 2008.

Minister Alkalaj welcomed Minister Jeremić highlighting importance of cooperation of two countries in terms of the European integrations. Assuming of the EU candidate status and visa-free regime are the common goals set for the next year. Alkalaj highlighted that bilateral relations should be strengthened as well as economic cooperation. Mutual contacts should be intensified in order to resolve open issues in an open dialogue.
 
The two talked about border, succession, foreign trade exchange, meeting of the Inter-state Council for cooperation, old foreign saving deposits, court procedure of Serbia against Ilija Jurišić. Minister Alkalaj requested from the Serbian Ministry of Justice and judiciary authorities to reconsider possibility to allow Jurišić to be out on pretrial release, in which case B&H would guarantee that Jurišić will respond to court’s invitations.

Minister Jeremić highlighted that B&H is seen as the key cooperator and partner in achieving common strategic goal – membership in the EU. Serbia is politically willing to resolve with B&H the issue of borders, succession and property.  Minister Jeremić highlighted that two countries will continue cooperating internationally and that Serbia will support B&H candidacy for the non-permanent UN Security Council member, term 2010-2011. 

After their statements, the Ministers took questions from the press.