Bosnian Security Minister Selmo Cikotic and Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin signed an Annex to the Agreement between the Bosnian government and the Government of Serbia on joint locations at border crossings in Bratunac and Ljubovija (the new bridge), in Zvornik on Tuesday, and talked about the fight against crime.
According to Cikotic, this was an important meeting because for the first time competent representations of the two ministries, but also the agencies responsible for the fight against organized crime, threats and security challenges had met.
“I think we have achieved a kind of expected understanding today. We answered all the questions openly and concretely. We touched on the topic of illegal migration, which is a serious threat to the Republic of Serbia and BiH. We have opened opportunities to expand cooperation where there is a mutual interest, and in that regard, I appreciate that today’s meeting was very constructive and I think it will mean a step forward between BiH and Serbia,” said Cikotic.
Vulin noted that he was very pleased to have the opportunity to sign an agreement that will make people’s lives easier and better.
“We have waited too long for the (Bratunac-Ljubovija) bridge to be operational. We have been waiting too long for people to shorten their travel time, for goods to become cheaper. We have waited too long because of the bureaucracy for what we have invested hope and effort and money to be available to all people living on both sides of the Drina. This is a big and good day for all those who live on both sides of the Drina river. We’ll move faster. It will be cheaper and more controlled. We must never let these things wait. The bridge does not connect only the two municipalities, but all of us, and it will give us the opportunity to get to know each other better,” stated Vulin.
Speaking about illegal migrations, which they discussed, he said that no one wants to become a parking lot for migrants.
They also discussed the fight against crime.
“Criminals do not believe in God, they have no national or religious prejudices, there are no borders for them. When that is already the case, then we have to fight against them in the same way,” he said.