Bosnian Minister: Kosovo hit the whole region

The two-day summit of the Southeast European Co-operation Process began in Sarajevo on Monday with the meeting of foreign ministers of member states.

The main theme of the talks by senior delegations, including representatives of the European Union and the Council for Regional Co-operation, are: the state of EU integration processes and ties in the Southeast European region and beyond as preconditions for sustainable development.

However, the focus of the ministers was also the annulment of the participation of Kosovo representatives.

Bosnia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Igor Crnadak, said the failure of Kosovo representatives is a blow to regional co-operation.

“Remember that from November we are subject to sanctions from Pristina. Despite that, we have sent out an invitation, we have expressed readiness to be good guests, respecting rule number one, that even if we don't agree on something, we should be at the table and look for solutions. Pristina thinks differently. Heavy blow to co-operation in the region”, Crnadak said.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has said that despite “preparedness and will” to participate in the summit, he has decided not to go to Sarajevo because, as he said in a Twitter post, “treatment and statements by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency are not in favour of good neighbourly relations and EU values and principles”.

Bosnia does not recognise Kosovo's independence.

By November of last year, Kosovo has taxed 100% of the products imported from Bosnia and Serbia.

Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey and Slovenia are participating in the summit in Sarajevo. / REL