14 September 2010

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Mr. Sven Alkalaj and the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with other States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, exchanged instruments of ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and the BiH on spiritual guidance of the Catholic believers, members of the Armed Forces of BiH

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Mr. Sven Alkalaj and the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with other States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, at the ceremony held on September 14, 2010, in Vatican, exchanged the instruments of ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and Bosnia and Herzegovina on spiritual guidance of the Catholic believers, members of the Armed Forces of BiH.

In a speech that followed after the exchange of instruments of ratification, Minister Alkalaj pointed out that this act is a result of long term work and efforts of representatives of the Agreement Parties, to arrange, on a permanent and appropriate manner, spiritual guidance for the Catholic believers, members of the Armed Forces of BiH. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right; therefore, the conclusion and entry into force of this Agreement creates the possibility that this right is completely and truly obeyed. In this sense, the Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Holy See on spiritual guidance of the Catholic believers, members of the Armed Forces of BiH represent the basis for the achievement of the equal religious rights and freedoms of others, traditional and historic churches and religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina", was emphasized by Minister Alkalaj. At the end of his address, Minister Alkalaj expressed confidence that a high degree of cooperation and friendship between BiH and the Holy See will last and strengthen to the benefit of all.

Besides Minister Sven Alkalaj, BiH Council of Minister Delegation consisted of Minister of Defense, Mr. Selmo Cikotić, Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Mr. Safet Halilović and Minister of Justice, Mr. Bariša Čolak.

After the ceremony, the delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a brief working meeting with the State Secretary, Cardinal Tarcision Bertone, where Cardinal expressed his satisfaction with the process of implementation of the Basic Agreement between BiH and the Holy See and expressed hope that the cooperation will continue in this direction. „In this aspect, Bosnia and Herzegovina can serve as example for other countries that have signed Basic Agreement with the Holy See“, said Cardinal Bertone.