Brussels, 17/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 16 December, MEPs called on the authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina to use the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace, “as an incentive to move forward with the necessary reforms” especially in view of Bosnia and Herzegovina's forthcoming EU membership application.
In a joint resolution on the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement, MEPs point out the importance of signing this agreement but note with regret that, 20 years after the end of the war, successive governments have failed to build a fully functioning, self-sustainable state. Parliament, however, acknowledges the positive transformation that Bosnia and Herzegovina has undergone in the past 20 years, from “a war-torn country emerging from war to a state aspiring for membership of the European Union”.
According to MEPs, “regional cooperation and the European integration process are the best way to promote reconciliation and to overcome hatred and divisions”. They are also calling on the country to address the socio-economic needs of citizens, implement an effective coordination mechanism on EU questions and to pursue political reforms and democratisation of the political system. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)