GOGANOVIĆ: FURTHER STRENGTHEN TRADITIONAL SERBIAN-FRENCH FRIENDSHIP AND ALLIANCE

SARAJEVO, JUNE 25 /SRNA/ – Deputy Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers Aleksandar Goganović met today in Sarajevo with the French Ambassador to BiH Francois Delmas to discuss BiH’s European path, with particular emphasis on bilateral military cooperation between the two countries and the role of France within the EUFOR Althea mission, which, as noted, plays a key role in maintaining stability and security in BiH.

Goganović stressed that BiH is not facing a security crisis, but rather a strictly political one, and that such a situation can only be resolved through persistent political dialogue.

When asked by SRNA whether the so-called “non-paper” was discussed during the meeting, Goganović said it was not, noting that it is not an official document, but rather the product of Bosniak lobbying.

“Unfortunately, those who lobbied for such a ‘non-paper’ fail to understand that they are doing more harm to BiH than to Republika Srpska. Officials from Republika Srpska believe that there are far more serious political topics and problems to focus on, and that it is a waste of time and energy to engage with unofficial documents that carry no legal weight,” Goganović said.

He added that efforts should be made to further strengthen the traditional Serbian-French friendship and alliance in the future—ties that were particularly strong during World War I, when the French, after the Russians, were Serbia’s greatest allies.

Ambassador Delmas confirmed the strong cooperation between BiH and France in all fields, including defense, and thanked Deputy Minister Goganović for the warm welcome.

Both parties agreed that continued cooperation and open dialogue are important for the stability and progress of BiH, both domestically and along its European path.