Minister Košarac and Ambassador Sattler: Support to Activities Aimed at Recovery and Protection of National Economic Capacities

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac talked with the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Johann Sattler, about current topics, with an emphasis on the current epidemiological situation and repairing negative effects of the coronavirus on the economy.

 

During the telephone conversation, Minister Košarac emphasized that he fully supports BiH's membership in the EU as the main foreign policy goal of the country.

 

He expressed gratitude to the EU for the funds donated to all levels of government in BiH for prevention and suppression of the epidemic, emphasizing that the key priority is to protect the health of citizens and preserve the stability of the health system in the country.

 

Minister Košarac informed the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH about the measures taken by the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, in cooperation and coordination with the competent entity ministries, to help and support national economic capacities in the new circumstances caused by the spread of coronavirus.

 

In accordance with the policies he agreed with the entities’ ministers in charge of agriculture, Minister Košarac informed Ambassador Sattler about the need to launch activities that will enable producers in BiH to transport live cattle through the port of Ploče to third country markets. He pointed out that there is an exceptional interest of BiH producers in exporting live cattle to third countries through the port of Ploče, and that approving this request would have a positive effect on agriculture in BiH and its further development, and thus on the competitiveness of local farmers, as well as on new jobs in this sector.

 

Ambassador Sattler said that this would be a good step forward for local businessmen, and stressed that, based on information provided by the relevant authorities in BiH, he would support the request of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH in contact with the European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Food Safety.

 

The interlocutors also exchanged thoughts on the possibility for relevant bodies of the European Commission to give consent to the export of red meat from BiH to EU member states. In this regard, it was emphasized that it is necessary to follow the defined procedures. The interlocutors agree that exports to new markets would significantly contribute to the recovery of the economy in BiH. Minister Košarac was given the conviction that he could count on the help of Ambassador Sattler in order to support domestic producers.