FM Pejčinović Burić attends FAC

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 10 December 2018 in Brussels attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejčinović Burić 10 December 2018 in Brussels attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).

The EU foreign ministers first discussed the situation in Southeast Europe. Pejčinović Burić once again underlined the importance of respecting the Dayton Agreement and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the decisions of the Constitutional Court in forming the government post-election and reforming the electoral law. True equality of the constituent nations is the key to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s internal stability and functionality. Pejčinović Burić recalled that it was thanks to Croatia’s initiative in 2014 that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession process was speed up, adding that Croatia would maintain its proactive approach.

Pejčinović Burić stressed that Serbia, unfortunately, still did not show the political will to acknowledge the past and ditch the 1990s ideology, which brings into question its willingness to deal with other issues following the breakup of Yugoslavia, such as borders, or the consequences of the aggression against Croatia, such as missing persons and war crimes prosecution.   

In regard to the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, Pejčinović Burić said that its resumption remained a challenge. She called for de-escalating the tensions, avoiding further provocations and creating an atmosphere conducive to constructive dialogue.

The minister stressed that the EU membership prospect remained the strongest catalyst of change and reform in the region, as well as the key factor for the strengthening of stability and security.

The Council discussed the latest developments in Ukraine. Foreign ministers recalled their utmost concern about the dangerous increase of tensions in the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait. They exchanged views with Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin. The ministers called on Russia to respect the international law and release the captured vessels and their crew without delay. The Council reiterated its full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and underlined that the EU did not and would not recognise the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

Discussing Iran, the Council focused on the implementation of the JCPoA. The ministers expressed concern over recent behaviour by Iranian actors on European soil, Iran’s ballistic missiles programme and other regional security aspects.

The situation in Venezuela was described as very serious. The Council discussed the possibility of establishing an international contact group which could help facilitate a political process. The Council also confirmed its firm stance on the targeted restrictive measures in place on Venezuela and underlined its commitment to supporting the population of Venezuela and the resilience of host communities. Croatia finds the EU’s engagement very important, due to a large number of European descendants living in Venezuela, including some 5000 members of the Croat community.

The Council discussed EU-African Union (AU) cooperation in view of the EU-AU ministerial meeting which will take place on 21-22 January 2019 in Brussels. The ministers expressed their clear interest in reinforcing the EU strategic partnership with Africa and highlighted the importance of engaging with youth.

On the margins of the FAC meeting, on Italy’s initiative, Pejčinović Burić attended a ministerial meeting of the Mediterranean EU member countries. The ministers discussed migrations, the future Multiannual Financial Framework and Southeast Europe.

 

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