prijava
SARAJEVO, September 21 (FENA) - Foreign ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Russian Federation Igor Crnadak and Sergey Lavrov signed a consultative plan between the two ministries for the period 2019- 2020 defining common activities.
Prior to the signing of this document, the ministers discussed bilateral co-operation between the two states, and journalists confirmed that there is mutual interest in improving cooperation, with the conclusion that foreign trade is significantly increased due to exports to Russia, and investment projects of Russian companies are being implemented in BiH.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has confirmed that Russia will continue to supply BiH with natural gas without any setbacks, reminding that Gazprom cooperates with BiH on the basis of two treaties, one with RS and the other with the Federation of BiH.
He also noted that the two countries have continued to cooperate in the field of culture and humanitarian projects, and will continue to award scholarships for students from BiH to study in Russia, which is drawing more and more interest each year.
Lavrov said it would be good for October elections to be conducted in accordance with the constitution, respecting the constituency of the three peoples, but Russia has no favorites and will respect those elected by the people of BiH.
"We never urge the people who to vote for in other countries, we will respect the choice of BiH citizens and work with those elected officials," Lavrov said.
Crnadak rated the visit as very important, stressing that the relations have been good between the two countries and thanked Lavrov for paying Russia's debt to BiH in the amount of125.2 million USD and opening the Russian market for exports of BiH products to Russia in particular fruit produce.
BiH and Russia have about 40 signed bilateral agreements that comprise a formal framework of cooperation, and plan to continue working on new memoranda and agreements.
Crnadak noted that it is important that Russia respects the Dayton Peace Agreement in recognition of the competences of BiH and the entities, which represents the basis for the two countries' relations, and Lavrov agreed with this.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak said it is important that Lavrov will visit the place where the Russian-Serb Center in Banja Luka will be built for which Crnadak believes will contribute to the development of mutual relations.
The two counterparts discussed the situation in the region and agreed jointly that successful negotiations between Belgrade and Priština could significantly contribute to the stability in the region.
(FENA) S. R.
