Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen began his address by congratulating the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team on their success in qualifying for the World Cup. "Why did it take so long for me to come to Bosnia and Herzegovina? Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all details were planned, but the pandemic prevented the visit twice. The extensive and intensive ties between our countries are evident. I think we are connected with few countries as we are with yours. Over 170,000 people with roots in BiH live in Austria. They are our neighbors, colleagues, friends for various reasons, and we cannot imagine Austria without them," said Van der Bellen. Van der Bellen said it is excellent when people go to study in another country, and when they will return is another question, but it will happen one day. The Austrian President noted that Austria imports more from Bosnia than it exports to it, but that it will endure and that this exchange is essentially positive. "Tonight at the Economic Forum, we will discuss cooperation in more detail. Austrian troops are assisting the EUFOR Althea mission, currently there are 110 soldiers, and next year Austria will take over command of EUFOR and there will be more soldiers. Rightfully, we can say that Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina are close friends. As friends, we want you to become a full member of the European family," said Van der Bellen, emphasizing that he is convinced that BiH's future is in the EU and that integration into the EU is necessary to guarantee stability and prosperity. Van der Bellen said it is not easy to find a compromise, that it is not easy in Austria either, but that parties must work on it and he wants these issues to be addressed courageously and effectively in BiH, in the interest of the young people in the country. "Austria will continue to provide support on this path. We believe that the High Representative here is doing useful things, and our support has always been emphasized both here and in the European Union when we talk with representatives of other countries," said Van der Bellen. Van der Bellen said the current geopolitical situation is unstable, that the war against Ukraine is a colonial war fitting for the 17th century, and that the war against Iran destabilizes the Middle East and reduces oil and gas quantities, leading to price increases. "At gas stations, we feel that there is war in other parts of the world, and we all hope that with the help of diplomacy, wars will be ended," said Van der Bellen. Van der Bellen said they are aware that it is not always easy for Bosnia and Herzegovina to align its policies with those of the European Union, but they are grateful for it. "We in Austria are very grateful for the support of the Austrian candidacy for a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council," he said. In response to a journalist's question, Van der Bellen said that the function of the High Representative is still necessary and he believes it was introduced for justified reasons so that someone exists who has the final say when difficult decisions are made, and as far as he knows, that function will continue to exist. However, he added that the U.S. stance on the Western Balkans can be interpreted in various ways. Van der Bellen said that 900 million euros are available for BiH, and with each passing month, the possibility increases that this money will be reduced and used for other purposes. "All negotiations are very difficult. Today, the conditions for membership are stricter than when we had to fulfill them. If the EU does not seize the opportunity that the accession of all Western Balkan countries brings, then a power vacuum and political vacuum will arise, and someone else will enter that vacuum. Despite all difficulties, we are friends and advocates of BiH's accession to the European Union for historical, cultural, and human reasons," said Van der Bellen.