On Wednesday 16 March, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on the Bosnian authorities to find a political solution to the country’s divisions.
“I call on all elected parliamentarians and authorities to work together to find political solutions, and on the Republika Srpska authorities to return to constructive decision-making within the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, he said in a speech at Camp Butmir, in front of the soldiers of Operation EUFOR Althea.
Borrell encouraged everyone to work together and not create new political crises or block the state’s institutions.
The High Representative warned that he would continue to dissuade those who felt emboldened to undertake destabilising actions, recalling the European Union’s commitment to the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He added that the fight against corruption would maximise the country’s economic potential and the functionality of the state and that the difficulties and wounds of the past must be overcome.
“The European vision of Bosnia and Herzegovina offers prosperity and security, underpinned by the rule of law and the free movement of goods, capital, people and services (...). The vision of this future will only become a reality with and when the forces within - governments, civil society, media and citizens - make a concerted effort”, he warned, saying he was convinced that the country’s future lay in the EU.
Bosnia and Herzegovina must make reforms in 14 key areas identified by the European Commission if it hopes to achieve EU candidate status.
The day before, in the European Parliament, Bosnian leaders Željko Komšić, Šefik Džaferović, Milorad Dodik and Dragan Covic had put forward their differences, accusing each other of causing the country’s problems, including blockages in the electoral reform. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is in a permanent crisis. Since its creation, it has never known a period of success, which has led to the situation we are in: an unstable country. Some say even an impossible country”, said Dodik, who is also accused of secessionist tendencies. “Republika Srpska does not intend to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina. It wants to enforce its position in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, he further explained.
However, all the leaders wanted Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward on its path to Europe. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)