Skopje, 12 May 2023 (MIA) - In cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, OSCE offers many good practices, which can increase and contribute to the improvement of public policies and processes, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani who is paying an official two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of his activities as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Speaking at a press-conference alongside Bosnian Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković, Osmani said that North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have excellent bilateral cooperation, also within OSCE, which is evident through the support of the priorities that the country has set as part of the OSCE Chairmanship, and above all in the fight against corruption.

"The fight against corruption is one of the main features of North Macedonia's OSCE Chairmanship, and in the entire region of Southeast Europe. Our goal is to gain broad political support from countries in the region to strengthen their efforts to develop and implement stronger policies and effective results," Osmani said at the press conference with Konaković.

He added that OSCE will continue to support the authorities in effective implementation of anti-corruption laws, and in such efforts perpetrators will be brought to justice.

"Not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but in the entire region, OSCE will continue developing key anti-corruption regulations that will benefit institutions, and most importantly citizens as end-users of such services," said Osmani.

Commenting on the challenges OSCE faces, among the biggest being the military aggression in Ukraine, Osmani called for an even closer cooperation and increased efforts for a coordinated regional response.

"This also applies to our region, Southeast Europe. We have taken the path of reform and development, and it is crucial that we leave the past behind and look forward, together, united toward the future. Therefore, it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina to bridge differences and speak with one voice, through effective internal dialogue," Osmani said. He offered direct help from North Macedonia as a country with firsthand experience with the processes of overcoming differences and fostering a culture of dialogue.

OSCE will continue to support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and focus support on enhancing trust-building efforts, as well as creating other public policies and processes, Osmani pointed out. ssh/nn/