H.E. Mr. Vanja Filipovic:

That is correct. As far as Russia is concerned, the influence has been there for years. We have been concerned about it. It comes in different forms sometimes related to economic or energy policy. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a huge importer of gas but all the gas we import is Russian and comes through a single pipeline that goes through Serbia and so on. That is one important leverage. There is also cultural and historical leverage that Russia employs, especially with part of the population. Russia also acts as a sort of diplomatic cover and sponsor to their politics. Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on genocide in Srebrenica, which won it some favours in certain circles. It is easy to recognise that its interest lies in the whole of the western Balkan area, Bosnia included, whose process of further integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions will be impeded by all means necessary. Russia has been partly successful in some places. It still has assets on the ground it can use to stir up troubles where it can. As I said, if things had gone differently in Ukraine, who knows what the scenario security-wise would have been in Bosnia and the Balkans. This is something the international community and western countries are more attuned to now. Bosnia and Herzegovina now receives more robust assistance from NATO and we are now pursuing NATO candidacy membership as well. It has been our foreign policy goal for a number of years. This is something that more and more people are attuned to, but it does not mean the threat has been resolved. It is still there.