Brussels, 04/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament and the Parliament of Bosnia-Herzegovina held their fourth inter-parliamentary meeting on 27-28 June in Sarajevo. In a joint declaration, the two institutions expressed their satisfaction and hopes for the future in Bosnia. Welcoming the launch of the EU police mission (planned for 1 January 2003 but which could be brought forward, as explained in yesterday's edition of our bulletin), which will "strengthen the Constitution of a safe environment for its citizens, the President of the EP, Doris Pack (EPP, Germany) informed EUROPE that she was, "shocked by the way in which the USA is behaving…If we pull out of Bosnia, we risk loosing ten years of work".
The two delegations believe that the political climate had improved and that efforts had been made in human rights. They hoped that general elections on 5 October would respect "European standards" and insisted that those involved in human rights violations during the war, be excluded by the national authorities from exercising economic, social or political power. Bosnia-Herzegovina was called on to co-operate loyally with the ICTCY. The two delegations also called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to take into account the legal, financial and social issues resulting from the return of the refugees. The two parties are convinced that Bosnia-Herzegovina must construct a "single economic area" and called on the continuation of reforms to encourage investment and an environment that stimulates job creation, as well as ensuring the State of sufficient resources to avoid a brain-drain. Political representatives welcomed the Council decision on 13 May (see EUROPE 13-14 May pa 9) to hold joint Ministerial meetings for Justice and Home Affairs. They consider that it is "unjustifiable" that seven years after the war, the State of Law has not been completely restored. Bosnia is called on to improve it immigration control of illegal immigrants throughout its territory. MEPs would also like to see strengthened regional co-operation, particularly in trade, transfers and the environment.