Brussels, 14/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 14 March, the European Parliament said that it was concerned by the limited progress made by Bosnia-Herzegovina, “as a potential accession candidate country”. In a resolution put forward by Doris Pack (EPP, Germany) on the 2011 follow-up report adopted by an overwhelming majority (557 for, 40 against, with 37 abstentions), MEPs underline that the state “must have sufficient legislative, budgetary, executive and judicial powers to be in a position to respect accession criteria”.
The Parliament welcomes the agreements reached by Bosnian political leaders on forming a new government, legislation on state aid and the law on the census. It invites the new government to ensure implementation of an independent, impartial and efficient legal system, so that parliament can adopt the law on the census and public aid and “the stabilisation and association agreement can enter into force”.
MEPs require progress to be made on the question of human rights with “particular attention on the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups”. They also highlight the need to promote plurality and independence of the media.
The EP also calls on the government to stimulate economic growth, “hindered by the deadweight of administrative structures, excessive and costly bureaucracy and the perpetual problem of organised crime and corruption”. They call in addition for progress to be made in the fight against corruption.
MEPs congratulate the country's authorities for their cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and call for the process on the return of refugees and displaced persons to be included. They also welcome the efforts made to resolve pending questions between Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia.
After 15 months of stagnation, first signs of progress. Following the change of government, we are now able to talk of “cautious optimism” with regard to the situation in Bosnia Herzegovina. These comments were made by Danish Minister for European Affairs, Nicolai Wammen, who highlighted a number of signs of progress, such as the adoption of the law on state aid and the law on the census. That said, further “credible efforts” are required to ensure that the constitution complies with the European Convention on Human Rights. Improving the way in which the state apparatus functions, explained Wammen, requires constitutional changes, and the opening of accession negotiations will need the conclusion of an association and stability agreement and implementation of an efficient coordination mechanism for all EU related issues. Another imperative involves agreement on the budget - appropriate funding is needed to ensure the release of around €100 million in macro-economic assistance (as well as agreement from the IMF). Wammen is hoping that the local elections this October will confirm this positive trend.
The analysis by Stefan Füle, on behalf of the European Commission, is slightly more guarded and he explained that even though greater determination has been demonstrated after 15 months of stagnation, it is important that there is respect for the roadmap and the constitutional amendments. On the ground, the Commission will bring its police mission to a conclusion in June, given that the situation has stabilised. Nonetheless, it will be ensuring a follow-up and will be strengthening its delegation's diplomatic activities in Sarajevo. Füle considers that the most positive aspect is that the accession theme now dominates the political debate and the president of the Council of Ministers has made this a priority of his government, together with all the efforts required in this connection in the areas of justice, taxation, energy and transport.
Speaking on behalf of the EPP, Doris Pack, the EP's rapporteur, explained that over a period of six weeks they have achieved more than they had over the previous 15 months. She did, however, highlight the constitutional amendments and called for changes to the education system, food and veterinary legislation. She also said that there needs to be a solution to the problem of Bosnians living Kosovo, who should be allowed to visit their families in Bosnia Herzegovina. Emine Bozkurt (S&D, Netherlands) said that citizens in Bosnia Herzegovina want to join the EU and this goes beyond the ethnic divisions - which is stronger than everything else that separated them in the past. Sarah Ludford (ALDE, United Kingdom) highlighted economic problems and social discontent in the country, as well as corruption, which discourages investment. She would like a constitutional conference to be organised by the Commission. Oldrik Vlasak from the Czech Republic is in favour of opening negotiations with Bosnia and said that Croatia could provide an appropriate example in this connection. He also said that he is in favour of Turkey joining the EU. The resolution contains a reference to Wahibi extremism. Speaking on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group, Marije Cornelissen from the Netherlands called for this extremism to be stamped out and affirmed that “all extremism is deplorable”. She alluded to Christian extremists in her country but said that she is convinced that the majority of Christians are not extremists, which is also the case with the majority of Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and that they should therefore resolutely condemn extremism outright. This is not a position shared by her compatriot Bastiaan Belder (EFD) and Austrians (non-attached) Ewald Stadler and Franz Obermayer, who insist that the text be maintained. Füle replied at the end of debate and said that the Commission will denounce all forms of extremism but is not going to talk about different religious orientations. The Commission hopes to find a spirit of cooperation and tolerance from all the different religious communities.
A few MEPs quite simply opposed the present time for opening up negotiations with this country. William Dartmouth (EFD, United Kingdom), in particular, said that they have already spent too much on this country but it is as if no one is doing the accounts, and he therefore calls on the EU to let the country go. (CG/LG/transl.fl)