Minister Elmedin Konaković met with the Special Envoy of the British Government for the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce

On September 22, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konaković, met with the British Government's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce on the sidelines of the first day of the UN General Assembly. The bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom, the current political situation in our country and the region, and the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina were discussed.

Minister Konaković assessed the relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom as friendly and constructive and expressed his belief that intensive political dialogue and meaningful bilateral cooperation will be continued and further improved. He thanked the United Kingdom for its long-term and consistent support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially its sovereignty and territorial integrity, European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and the strengthening of state-level institutions, the rule of law, and the judiciary.

He particularly emphasized the importance of the United Kingdom's strong engagement in the current political moment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the support of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to the Dayton Peace Agreement and the role of the High Representative. Minister Konaković emphasized the importance of ensuring the election and full continuity of the function of the High Representative, with the aim of preserving legal security and continuity of decisions made by previous High Representatives and preventing attempts to challenge, circumvent or endanger them.

Minister Konaković informed the Special Envoy about the current relations with the Republic of Serbia, including the intention to reduce the level of diplomatic relations due to official support and the presence of high-ranking officials from Serbia and Republika Srpska at the funeral of the legally convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić.

The interlocutors exchanged opinions on the continuation of reform processes and the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as on security challenges in the country and in the Western Balkans. Minister Konaković welcomed the position of the United Kingdom that the stability of the Western Balkans is important for the security of the whole of Europe and the inclusion of the region in regular dialogues between the European Union and the United Kingdom on foreign and security policy.

Minister Konaković informed the Special Envoy about the preparations for the General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be held in October, and where new electoral technologies will be used for the first time. He emphasized the importance of a transparent and democratic electoral process and strengthening the integrity and confidence of citizens in the electoral process.

The British Government's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Dame Karen Pierce, expressed clear support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and emphasized the United Kingdom's commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as continued support for the reform processes and European integration of our country.

Minister Konaković also thanked the United Kingdom for its continuous engagement in preserving the memory of the genocide in Srebrenica and for supporting the organization Remembering Srebrenica.

A mutual commitment to the continuation of intensive political dialogue and further strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom was confirmed at the end of the meeting.