As part of his working visit to New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj held separate meetings on December 18th, 2009 with Permanent Representative of the Republic of Austria to the United Nations Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting and United Nations General Assembly President Dr. Ali Treki. 

Ambassador Mayr-Harting stated he was pleased with BiH’s election to the UN Security Council. He also said he was interested and willing to cooperation with the representatives of the Mission of BiH to the UN within the Security Council in the coming period. Finally, Mayr-Harting expressed full willingness to transfer knowledge and experiences regarding the work of the Security Council.

Minister Alkalaj thanked Ambassador Mayr-Harting for his offer and said BiH is willing to hold consultations on important issues that will be discussed in the Security Council. Minister Alkalaj also stated he was interested in exchanging practical experiences between the Missions of BiH and the Republic of Austria regarding the work and functioning of a mission in the course of Security Council membership. Minister Alkalaj and Ambassador Mayr-Harting also exchanged views on issues which will be deliberated in the Security Council during the coming month.

In his meeting with UN General Assembly President Dr. Treki, Minister Alkalaj informed his interlocutor about current political circumstances in BiH and the region, reforms being carried out in BiH, phases of fulfilling commitments on the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration, and measures being undertaken in BiH in order to mitigate the effects of the world economic and financial crisis.

UN General Assembly President Dr. Treki expressed satisfaction at the progress which has been made in BiH and stated that BiH is a good example of post-conflict cooperation and peace- and stability-building to the world. He said he was particularly pleased with BiH’s election to a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

Minister Alkalaj stated that he believes BiH’s experience will represent an added value to the work of the Security Council. He informed his interlocutor about the results of the First Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) Regional Conference held on December 14th, 2009 in Sarajevo. After that, the interlocutors exchanged views about the upcoming AoC high-level meetings.

On this occasion, Minister Alkalaj invited the UN General Assembly President to visit BiH. Dr. Treki gladly accepted the invitation and stated that the visit could possibly be carried out in the first half of next year.