Kozarev: Konakovic's statements do not contribute to regional stability

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Dusan Kozarev, met today with the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Belgrade, Aleksandar Vranjes, and on that occasion, warned that the statements made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konakovic, do not contribute to regional stability.

During today's meeting, Kozarev addressed the most current topics and issues of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of improving overall relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the significance of building connections at the institutional level, as well as cooperation in the fields of economy, infrastructure, and culture, according to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He also emphasized Serbia's strong commitment to preserving regional stability and dialogue as the best means to resolve all outstanding issues, underlining Serbia's unequivocal support for the Dayton Peace Agreement.

With this in mind, Kozarev stated that the first step towards creating a normal climate for the development of political and economic relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is to refrain from provocative and inflammatory statements.

According to him, the statements by Minister Elmedin Konakovic are not messages calling for cooperation in a spirit of good neighborliness but rather an attempt to artificially create a conflictual atmosphere.

"Sarajevo's constant efforts to present Serbia and the Serbian people through outdated narratives as someone who threatens the interests of Bosniaks do not reflect the truth, and Konakovic's need to deliver barbs at Serbia, even in the most trivial situations, indicates a lack of political seriousness and responsibility," Kozarev assessed.

According to Kozarev, Serbia will persistently extend a hand of cooperation to all its international friends and partners, especially its neighbors, convinced that, despite all disagreements, a stable and prosperous Western Balkans and a European future are common interests for all peoples in this region.

Konakovic stated on the social network "X" that Serbia restricts the movement of public figures from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia "just because they speak the truth about Srebrenica."

"Serbia stopped and questioned Severina just because she told the truth about Srebrenica. This action is a clear reflection of a pathetic regime that views public figures like S. Bajrami and Severina as a national threat, while the truth about Srebrenica remains their nightmare," Konakovic said.