The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, on Tuesday 29 January, urged the tripartite presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Milorad Dodik, Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović - to be a vehicle for reconciliation.
“The role of the Presidency in lowering political tensions and promoting reconciliation will be crucial”, said the European External Action Service in a statement issued at the end of the meeting between the High Representative and the members of the Presidency. Ms Mogherini welcomed the determination of the three men to work together, stressing that their unity of action would be in the interest of the country and its citizens (see EUROPE 12120).
Following a meeting with the Presidency, the European Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, recalled in a statement that any divisive rhetoric or initiative that would hinder the country's path to the EU should be avoided.
According to the High Representative and the members of the Presidency, it is important that the Council of Ministers and all entity governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina be established without delay, so that they can meet the many challenges ahead. "Among them are the rule of law, including the electoral reform, implementation of Constitutional Court decisions and strengthening of judiciary, as well as continued social-economic reform", the EEAS statement said. The elections were held on 7 October last (see EUROPE 12113).
Bosnia and Herzegovina must submit all responses to the Commission's questionnaire as soon as possible so that the Commission can finalise its opinion on the country's application for EU membership, Hahn (see EUROPE 12062) warned. Sarajevo has yet to send the “internally harmonised and coordinated" responses to 656 follow-up questions. "The Commission's future opinion [on the application for membership] will provide a comprehensive roadmap for far-reaching reforms that must be urgently adopted and implemented, particularly in the field of the rule of law and fundamental rights, where there are clear gaps at all levels", the Commissioner said.
Ms Mogherini, for her part, wanted to see “irreversible progress” from Sarajevo to the EU by the end of the year. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)