Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Josip Brkić held meetings today in Bucharest with Romanian Foreign Ministry official Dan Neculaescu, as well as State Secretaries Ana Tinca and Clara Staicu.
The meetings took place ahead of the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH announced.
During the meeting with Dan Neculaescu, views were exchanged regarding bilateral relations, current regional and international issues, and the further strengthening of cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania.
During the meeting with State Secretary for Strategic and Global Affairs Ana Tinca, discussions covered bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania, cooperation in the fields of security and defense, partnership with NATO, and current regional and international issues.
Brkić highlighted the traditionally friendly and positive relations between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of regular political dialogue and bilateral consultations at various levels as a foundation for further strengthening the partnership and concretizing joint activities.
In the context of cooperation with NATO, Brkić—who also serves as the Chair of the Commission for Cooperation with NATO of BiH—thanked Romania for its continuous support to Bosnia and Herzegovina and underscored the importance of its participation in the EUFOR Althea mission.
He noted that the continued presence of this mission serves as an important deterrent and a key element in maintaining a secure environment and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Speaking about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in its cooperation with NATO, he highlighted the adoption of the sixth Reform Programme—covering the year 2025—as well as the first Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) for the 2025–2028 period. The interlocutors assessed that the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans is inextricably linked to the security of Europe as a whole.
During a meeting with Clara Staicu, State Secretary for European Affairs, the Middle East, and Africa at the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion focused on bilateral relations, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration, and opportunities for further cooperation and the exchange of experience regarding the European Union accession process.
Brkić thanked Romania for its support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European perspective, emphasizing that European Union membership remains a strategic goal and a foreign policy priority for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He provided an update on the current situation in the country following the general elections, stressing the importance of the timely implementation of election results and the establishment of a political consensus as prerequisites for continuing reform processes and the country’s European path.
Referring to the latest European Commission report on Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2026, Brkić noted that it serves as an important assessment of progress made to date, while also clearly identifying areas where further reform efforts are required. He noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina has maintained 100% alignment with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. He reiterated that the immediate priority for Bosnia and Herzegovina is the adoption of the negotiating framework and the holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference with the European Union as soon as possible.
He particularly emphasized the importance of continuing the implementation of the Reform Agenda and leveraging the opportunities provided by the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with the aim of delivering tangible benefits to the population and the economy, as well as further accelerating the European integration process.
Brkić expressed interest in continuing the exchange of expertise and experience with Romania, particularly regarding preparations for accession negotiations, the alignment of legislation with the European Union acquis, and the strengthening of administrative capacities.
During the discussion, the importance of regional cooperation, good-neighborly relations, and joint efforts to preserve stability and the European perspective of the Western Balkans was also highlighted.
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