Press statements by BiH Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegović and President of the Republic of 4.10.2012 0:00:00

BiH Presid41806hairman Bakir Izetbegović President Ivanov is our friend, a friend of Bosnia and , a person with whom it is a pleasure to converse. We touched on a number of topics which contribute additional improvement of bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and mutual support on the Euro-Atlantic path. The Macedonian President informed us in detail about the problems related to the name of Macedonia and the problems, which, due to this issue, they have with the neighbouring Greece. and the Republic of Macedonia are interested in development and furthering of all-encompassing bilateral relations and cooperation. Regular meetings of officials of the two states in the bilateral and regional field confirm that the relations of the two countries are very good and friendly. A significant number of bilateral agreements have been concluded to date, which creates a good framework for a successful and an all-encompassing cooperation. We are pleased that we have just witnessed the signing of one of such agreements – the one on cooperation in the field of health and medical science between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia. Generally, there are no open questions between the two states, and both are committed to a constructive cooperation, as a confirmation of the stance that the multi-ethnic states are possible in the South-East Europe. During the meeting today, we endeavoured to come to a solution which would additionally enhance the economic cooperation of the two countries. The overall exchange between the two countries in 2001 was 237 million KM and we believe that it can significantly improve. In that sense, the Macedonian side introduced a logical suggestion, which we will approve, to adopt and sign the Agreement on Double Taxation at soonest. Furthermore, there was the talk to renew the investigation on the death of Boris Trajkovski. The Bosnian side will assist in every way for the renewed investigation to be successfully concluded. President of the Republic of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov Dear media representatives, Mr Izetbegović! I wish to express a special gratitude to Mr Izetbegović for a warm and heartfelt reception, as well as to the other members of BiH Presidency with whom we have, during the years, created personal contacts and friendships. There really are friendly relations between BiH and Macedonia and we do not have open questions. All that creates opportunities for us to talk honestly at our every meeting since our two countries share the common future. That which is the greatest priority to you and us is how to become the members and part of the European Union. That is, how to achieve the European standards, criteria and principles, so that our citizens can live in the framework of such standards and principles. I am pleased that the countries in the region have started their accession to the European Union – we know that accesses to the European Union next year. Montenegro has already launched negotiations, Serbia received the candidate status, as us from Macedonia have long been a candidate. This means that our whole region has received another dimension and we hope that both BiH and Macedonia will progress on that path. We therefore have close cooperation and offer support and assistance. We will help BiH to complete its path towards the European Union. At this meeting, we also talked about a number of bilateral questions, that is, to enrich legal frameworks, as we have more than twenty already signed agreements. Today's bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Health and Medical Science is an addition to that bilateral cooperation. Apart from the bilateral issues, we talked about the issues related to the region, the issues which are of interest to our two countries and the initiatives which can help us live in a different world. As Mr Izetbegović had mentioned, we talked about the barriers which are preventing us to reach our strategic goals. We also opened the question, which remains unclosed, about the case of death of the former President of the Republic of Macedonia Boris Trajkovski, so that finally an institutional conclusion is brought, in order to avoid speculations and various improvisations. Photo gallery