Brussels, 08/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn announced on Friday 5 December that they had observed “political will” on the part of the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to push forward with reforms and along the country's European path.
Just as there is in civil society, “there exists a willingness among leaders and institutions to begin a new process to take things forward”, said Mogherini at a press conference. “A positive response has been delivered on the political will of all the political leaders to commit seriously to a new phase”, she stated.
Hahn called on the country, the institutional organisation of which is complex, to speak with a single voice. “We expect the negotiations to lead to concrete decisions”, he said. Bosnia may choose to organise itself however it wishes but it has to have a decision-making structure that allows the progress that is needed to be made.
“The work for the coming weeks - not months or years but weeks - is to work together to determine the steps to be put in place and to make the political will a reality”, stated Mogherini, adding that she wanted very definite steps, with a very definite timetable. She pointed out that this was not about signing a document but starting a process.
“We are going to try to use the fresh impetus” provided by a number of member states, said Hahn. The United Kingdom and Germany have presented a proposal for taking Bosnia and Herzegovina forward along the European path, which could be picked up at European level (see EUROPE 11192).
Hahn and Mogherini are expected to travel regularly to Bosnia to monitor and support the arrangement that could be put in place.
The high representative underlined that she would inform the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 December of this will she had observed. One of the items for discussion by ministers will be Bosnia and Herzegovina. “We will discuss the EU's commitment to this process with ministers”, she said.
Hahn also underlined that the EU is ready to increase its financial support for the country once the conditions are in place and once the political will is there. The EU could increase the budget in particular to help boost growth and jobs. Funding for Bosnia and Herzegovina through the pre-accession instrument was cut in October 2013 because no solution was provided for bringing the country's constitution into line with the European Convention on Human Rights (see EUROPE 10940).
Mogherini also announced that a journalism competition was to be set up, with nine prizes, to take forward discussion among the public on possible economic and social reforms. (CG)