Foreign affairs Minister emphasizes importance of political stability in Western Balkan region

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Vella has emphasized the need to guarantee stability in the Western Balkan region, particularly in view of the challenges posed by migration and radicalization.

Speaking during a talk with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crnadak, Vella said that during Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, migration will be one of its key priorities and Malta will strive to keep this issue high on the EU agenda.

The two Ministers welcomed the positive bilateral relations that exist between the countries, and discussed the possibility of furthering these ties through exploring ways of improving accessibility between the two countries with the view to develop tourism links in the future.

Vella emphasized Malta’s continuing support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s request for EU accession, and commended the progress that was achieved by the country this year on its path to EU accession, with the bid for EU membership being submitted in February 2016.

He welcomed the cooperative spirit which was recently demonstrated by the three members of the Presidency, and expressed his hope that this unified approach will continue.

Crnadak gave an overview of the reforms taking place in his country, particularly those relating to the reform agenda, and the government’s efforts to implement the stabilization and association agreement.