World growing more unfair: Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

ANTALYA 

Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina​​​​​​​ Zeljka Cvijanovic said there is a greater imbalance in the world with conflicts increasing and diplomatic efforts to stop killings decreasing.

''This world is becoming a more and more unfair place. You can see a lot of conflicts of interest and conflicts of use. What we see less and less and missing is real diplomatic efforts to actually stop killings,'' the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina said in an interview with Anadolu on the sidelines of the 3rd Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

Regarding Israel's attacks on Gaza, Cvijanovic said Bosnia strongly champions peaceful solutions through diplomacy.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive, now in day 152, on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which Tel Aviv said killed less than 1,200 people.

More than 30,700 Palestinians have since been killed and over 72,000 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

"It is very difficult for us from Bosnia and Herzegovina to talk about wars. We know how difficult it is to cope with all these developments -- war, family tragedies, killings and shootings. We always advocate peaceful solutions to any conflict on this planet regardless of where it takes place,'' she said.

Cvijanovic emphasized that it takes decades to overcome the problems that arise from conflicts.

“We strongly advocate that diplomacy should be number one in dealing with different issues and looking for solutions to these issues,'' added Cvijanovic.

She said the Forum is a valuable event where world leaders can exchange ideas.

"I think this is a very important meeting, a good opportunity for all of us. It is a very good opportunity to hear the stance of our country's friend and host Türkiye, and to get the opinions of our colleagues and to exchange views. Different countries' views on global issues. I think it's very important to listen to their views," said Cvijanovic.  

'We highly appreciate President Erdogan's attitude'

Cvijanovic said Bosnian leaders and the public very much appreciate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's attitude toward Bosnia Herzegovina and the region.

''I would like to state that we highly appreciate President Erdogan's attitude. He always encourages us to find domestic and internal agreements. We cannot expect someone from outside to impose good recipes or formulas on our lives. He always encourages us to be united and take appropriate steps for our future,'' said Cvijanovic.

The three-day Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which saw the participation of nine heads of state and government, as well as 25 foreign ministers from the African continent, concluded Sunday.  

*Writing by Talha Ozturk in Belgrade.