Budrys in Bosnia and Herzegovina: If there is no Europe in the Western Balkans, Russia will take its placeActivities of the Minister of Foreign AffairsBilateral[...]

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The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, is on a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. On Tuesday, the Minister met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, and discussed bilateral cooperation, regional security and enlargement of the European Union, as well as reducing Russia's influence in the region.

During the meeting, Minister Budrys stressed that Lithuania strongly supports the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the country's European aspirations.

"Stable and united Bosnia and Herzegovina is essential for the security and stability of the Western Balkans region. We are well aware of the importance of stability and security in the region for Europe and will continue to contribute to the efforts of the Allies to ensure them," said the Minister.

Ministers of Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina also discussed Russia's efforts to destabilise the region, influence domestic politics and halt the Euro-Atlantic integration processes of the Western Balkans. Budrys emphasized that Lithuania in the past also experienced Russia's hostile activities and attempts to exert political pressure using economic and energy levers as a tool of manipulation.

"The European Union must make efforts to get closer to the countries of the Western Balkans as soon as possible. If there is no Europe here, Russia will come", said Budrys.

When speaking about the enlargement of the European Union, Budrys stressed that it is a strategic investment in the security and prosperity of Europe as a whole. Lithuania supports Bosnia and Herzegovina's European aspirations and intends to pay special attention to enlargement policy during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027. The Minister also stressed the importance of reforms on the path to EU membership.

"Progress on the road to the European Union cannot be imported from Brussels but must be implemented domestically. The pace of integration will depend on the pace of reforms. The choice is clear: Reforms lead to Europe," said Budrys. According to the Minister, Lithuania, having implemented complex reforms itself, is ready to share its experience in building stronger democratic institutions.

At the meeting, the Ministers also discussed the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Budrys stressed that Russia is continuing the war with the belief that it can achieve its goals by force, and that the international community must deny this. "Our priorities remain clear: provide Ukraine with the necessary military and financial support and strengthen its position for possible negotiations. A just and lasting peace cannot be based on concessions to aggression," he said.