Ethnically divided Bosnia and Herzegovina is susceptible to destabilization and Germany intends to contribute to curbing Russia's influence with its presence in the country, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in Sarajevo.
"We will strongly support Bosnia and Herzegovina and prevent Russia from igniting another flashpoint, from possibly abusing and destabilizing another area and thus expanding its influence in the hope of somehow destabilizing the West," Pistorius said.
After the meeting with his Bosnian colleague Zukan Helez, he clearly condemned the separatist policy of Republika Srpska, warning its leaders that "you can't play at two weddings at the same time."
Pistorius called on Sarajevo to speed up reforms on the way to membership in NATO and the European Union and said that Germany, due to the importance of the entire Western Balkans for the security and stability of Europe, is following the tensions in the region with some concern.
The German minister arrived in Sarajevo from Pristina, where he started a mini-Balkan tour the previous day. On Wednesday, they will also visit about thirty Bundeswehr soldiers participating in the EU Eufor Altea mission.
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