European future of W.Balkans Germany's key foreign policy goal, says minister

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Thursday that Berlin's key foreign policy objective is the European future of the Western Balkans.

Baerbock, who arrived in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, on a one-day official visit, will meet with key officials.​​​​​​​

Baerbock told reporters after meeting with her Bosnian counterpart Bisera Turkovic that the European future of the Western Balkans is a central foreign policy priority for the German government.

"I would never have thought that I would embark on this journey at a time when peace and stability in Europe have become an existential issue,” she said, adding: “I came to listen, to find out what expectations you have of us as Europeans.

“I brought a clear message: Germany will be more present here, in your country, but also in the Western Balkans in the future, that is why we have introduced a special envoy for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin, for the first time."

Meanwhile, Turkovic for her part said she has discussed the current situation in Bosnia and the Western Balkans.

"The German presence is constructive and necessary and contributes to the prosperity and stability of this region,” she said, adding that “the security and political threat in Bosnia and Herzegovina caused by secessionist activities and the conclusions of the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, which undermine state institutions and the Dayton Peace Agreement, has not yet been eliminated.

“On the contrary, the escalation in Ukraine and the consequences of the crisis in Europe have only further complicated the situation in Bosnia. If further destabilization of Bosnia and blocking of Bosnia's state institutions are allowed, there is a fear that the stability and security of Europe will be endangered."

Baerbock is scheduled to meet with members of the Presidency, High Representative of the International Community Christian Schmidt, and lawmakers from upper and lower houses of parliament.