Brnabic meets with Schmidt

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Ana Brnabic met with international High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt on Wednesday to discuss the significance of joint regional projects for the region's progress and finding ways to accelerate their implementation.

According to a statement released by the Serbian government after the meeting, Brnabic noted that Serbia was a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, that it respected the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and was committed and open to development of good-neighbourly relations and bilateral cooperation, including cooperation with both the central and entity authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Brnabic reiterated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, too, had continuously been sending positive signals in the past several years and continued that policy.

She also noted that security, stability and economic development were in the interest of the entire region.

Brnabic said Serbia also offered many development opportunities, especially to young people, and invested in modern technologies and the IT sector, but was also very open to building bridges with Bosnia and Herzegovina in all fields.

She said she looked forward to cooperating with Bosnia and Herzegovina's new Council of Ministers.

Brnabic reiterated that a recent publication of a note from the Serbian embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina that contained personal and confidential information about a protected person whose safety had been jeopardised as a result was unacceptable and contrary to diplomatic practice.

At the same time, Brnabic thanked Schmidt for a recent phone conversation about this subject and for the understanding shown.

Schmidt said such a practice was unacceptable and noted that, in line with a decision by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, he had informed the diplomatic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina of this.

Schmidt agreed with Brnabic that stability in the region and its economic development were extremely important and added that he saw a sincere collaborator and partner in Belgrade.