NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor pays informal visit to Banja Luka
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia today paid an informal visit to the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Špirić. The purpose of the Prime Minister's visit to Banja Luka is to mainly establish in-depth dialogue, consolidate the excellent political and economic relations between the countries and search for new, unexploited economic potentials. The two Prime Ministers have established that there are no open political issues between the two countries, but advocated a more intensive search for solutions of regional issues, such as the succession issue of the former SFRY. They also supported the establishment of the University in Brčko which will significantly contribute to opportunities for university education.
Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have developed highly diversified economic cooperation, which can be further enhanced since Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of Slovenia’s major trading partners and vice versa. In their talks, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor and current Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nikola Špirić, advocated further building on economic relations, especially in the areas of export activities and promotion of outward investment. Prime Minister Špirić pointed out that Slovenian investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina are always welcome and that he hopes that Slovenian companies will participate in the construction of the planned large infrastructure projects.
In their talks, the two Prime Ministers largely focused on the conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the challenges the country has to face. They agreed that the European Perspective for Bosnia and Herzegovina should be revived and specified, and the first step should be immediate implementation of visa liberalisation. Prime Minister Pahor reiterated Slovenia's support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in joining Euro-Atlantic structures. He highlighted the importance of the constitutional reform, which must result in particular from the consensus between political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina based upon political dialogue.
Prime Minister Pahor will continue his visit to Banja Luka tomorrow morning, when he will also meet with the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, with whom he will discuss in particular economic cooperation between Slovenia and Republika Srpska. After the talks, both Prime Ministers will make a joint statement to the press.