NEWS
On the second day of his informal visit to Banja Luka, Prime Minister Pahor holds talks with Prime Minister Dodik
Prime Minister Pahor today concluded his informal visit to Banja Luka. In the morning he met with the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik. They focused on economic relations between Slovenia and Republika Srpska, explored the possibilities of enhancing economic cooperation, and also touched upon the current situation in the Western Balkans, in particular in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During his informal visit to Banja Luka, Prime Minister Pahor said that he had suggested to the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, that he put EU enlargement to the Western Balkans on the agenda for the September European Council meeting.
Prime Ministers Pahor and Dodik highlighted the endeavours of the two countries to strengthen economic cooperation, and undertook to further enhance this cooperation. Prime Minister Pahor presented his idea to organise a joint business conference in order to foster economic relations between Slovenia and Republika Srpska, and Prime Minister Dodik welcomed his suggestion with open arms. Slovenia would continue to invest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, announced Prime Minster Pahor. I am pleased to note that in 2009 Slovenia ranked second among investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Slovenia also promotes foreign direct investment from Bosnia and Herzegovina – since Slovenia is a member of the Union’s internal market, a company established in Slovenia can serve as a stepping stone to the global market.
The Prime Ministers also exchanged opinions on the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prime Minister Dodik presented his views on development of the Federation, while Prime Minister Pahor stressed the necessity for a constitutional process taking into consideration all the entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and increasing the efficiency of state institutions. “Proposed constitutional reforms must shape policies and set up institutions on the basis of dialogue,” added Prime Minister Pahor, and reassured his counterpart that Slovenia would continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in its endeavours to join Euro-Atlantic structures, especially in these crucial times for Bosnia and Herzegovina when decisions and the path taken by its people concern the future of the entire region. In light of this, Prime Minister Pahor called upon the leaders in the region to engage in dialogue.
In his statement for the press, Prime Minister Pahor commended the city of Banja Luka for its economic progress intertwined with the unflagging optimism of its inhabitants. According to Prime Minister Dodik, significant investments were made in the infrastructure and development, and discussions about the planned construction of motorways are underway also with Slovenian companies. Economic cooperation with Republika Srpska was very important for Slovenia and the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina was of considerable importance for Slovenian investors, said Prime Minister Pahor. “This region has great potential and I believe in the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” commented Prime Minister Pahor, and added that its future was in the European Union. He also said that he would do his best to have EU enlargement to the Western Balkans on the agenda of the September European Council, and that he had sent a letter to this end to President Van Rompuy. By way of conclusion, he stressed the pressing need for dialogue between leaders in the region who must find a common solution to the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, since they alone know best what this future will be like or what it should be like.