21 September 2010

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Sven Alkalaj met in New York with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Sven Alkalaj met on September 20, 2010, at the margins of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

During the meeting between Minister Alkalaj and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, it was mutually concluded that the bilateral relations between BiH and UAE are good. Minister Alkalaj invited investors and businessman from the UAE to get acquainted with the investment opportunities in BiH and recommended the signing of an agreement on abolishing visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports. During the meeting, Minister Al Nahyan expressed desire to re-visit BiH early next year.

Minister Alkalaj, during the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa emphasized that political relations between BiH and Indonesia are excellent, as well as the cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral level. Minister Natalegawa expressed expectation that the bilateral relations between Indonesia and BiH will be further strengthened with the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Sarajevo. He concluded that the revitalization of the international position of BiH is impressive, since in a short time our country has come the way from a country that was the subject of the UN resolutions, to a country that is the most important non-permanent member of the UN body and that its work contribute to the stabilization and preservation of peace throughout the world. They both concluded the need for abolishing the visa regime between the two countries, in the first phase for holders of diplomatic and official passports, which would be regulated by bilateral agreement.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Edmond Haxinasto emphasized that the two countries have much in common and expressed his satisfaction that bilateral relations between BiH and Albania are in a continuous progress. He suggested the fast creation of conditions for establishing a visa-free regime between BiH and Albania, since the two countries' citizens will soon travel without visas to the European Union countries so that there is no need for a mutual visa regime. Minister Alkalaj stressed out that BiH expects the EU visa-free regime for citizens of BiH and Albania will soon come into force, which will facilitate the movement of people, ideas and capital and agreed that BiH and Albania should facilitate the travel of its citizens and allow free movement. He pointed out that BiH appreciates the support that Albania as a NATO member provides to our country, because the NATO membership is a top priority for BiH.