Japan-Bosnia and Herzegovina Relations
Foreign Minister MOTEGI Visits Bosnia and Herzegovina
On May 1, commencing at 10:00 a.m. (local time; same day, 5:00 p.m. JST) for one hour, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), held a foreign ministers’ meeting with H.E. Dr. Bisera TURKOVIĆ, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers (equivalent to Vice Prime Minister) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the meeting, the two foreign ministers signed a grant to provide border management and security enhancement equipment, attended a signing ceremony for the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects for clearing landmines in BH (in collaboration with international NGO in Slovenia), and issued a joint press release.
On May 1, commencing at 11:45 a.m. (local time; same day, 6:45 p.m. JST) for one hour and ten minutes, Minister Motegi paid a courtesy visit to 3 joint heads of state: H.E. Mr. Milorad DODIK, Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Mr. Željko KOMŠIĆ, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and H.E. Mr. Šefik DŽAFEROVIĆ, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Minister Motegi stated that he was pleased to be the first foreign minister of Japan to visit BH in 23 years in the 25th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He stated that he would like to further develop bilateral relations with BH, which holds the key to peace and stability in the Western Balkan region and in Europe. Thedignitaries of BH welcomed Minister Motegi's visit and stated that all citizens of BH have good feelings toward Japan and would like to take this visit as an opportunity to further develop good bilateral relations.
- Minister Motegi stated that European integration via EU accession is important to the stability and development of the Western Balkan region, which supports Europe uniting under basic values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the market economy. He said that Japan would support BH's economic and social reforms aimed at joining the EU through the "West Balkan Cooperation Initiatives." In response, the heads explained the current status of BH reforms for EU accession, and expressed appreciation for Japan's COVID-19 medical countermeasure support, their continuous humanitarian and reconstruction assistance for BH, and for other provided assistance.
- Minister Motegi explained the concept of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" promoted by Japan, and the dignitaries of BH expressed their support. Both sides concurred to work together towards the implementation of a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
- Minister Motegi also exchanged views with the dignitaries of BH regarding situations in East Asia, such as China and North Korea. During the exchange, Minister Motegi expressed serious concern about the continued and strengthened unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas. Both sides confirmed their support for the full implementation of the Security Council’s resolution for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantling (CVID) of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles in North Korea. Minister Motegi asked for understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained the support of BH