Brussels, 12/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle has again warned Bosnia-Herzegovina of a risk of a freeze to its European integration is it does not bring its constitution into line with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) (Sejdic-Finci ruling). “Without an agreement (Ed: to amend the constitution) and then a stabilisation and association agreement fully in force, Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU path would be frozen”, Füle said during his visit to Sarajevo. He reiterated that the best chance of settling the political context of the relations between the different groups of citizens, including the Sejdic-Finci ruling, is through the process of European integration.
Regretting that the political parties have “not succeeded in making significant progress in over three years in implementing” the Sejdic-Finci decision, Füle said that during his visit he had too often heard the phrase “we are ready but…” He added that it was important “to reflect and to re-commit”. “I regret that some leaders have only concentrated on the interests of their party and ethnic community, with the objective of preserving - indeed of strengthening - the system in place that is reserved for the three constituent peoples”, he said. “The issue of implementing the judgment remains on the table, and it continues to grow and become more urgent”, he stated.
Bringing the electoral law into line. Füle also warned that, before the next elections in 2014, the electoral law should be brought into line with the ECHR. “Other general elections which violate the ECHR would also be unacceptable, seriously damaging the legitimacy and credibility of the elected bodies of the country”, he said (our translation throughout).
During his visit, Füle met the leaders of the main political parties to discuss implementation of the Sejdic-Finci ruling. Initially he was due to take part in the third meeting of the high-level dialogue but it was cancelled due to the blockage of this decision (see EUROPE 10823). Füle is now going to consult High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the member states, and to provide information to the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland. (CG/transl.fl)