1. What is the reason for your visit to BiH and who will you meet in BiH? What will be your message to BiH officials?

I am coming to Sarajevo to meet with political leaders and to talk to the people of your country, especially young people, about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future. I bring three key messages: first, that Ireland and all 28 EU Member States remain fully committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina becoming a member of the European Union. Secondly, I would like to talk about Ireland’s experience of EU membership, which has been so beneficial to our people. I hope that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina will see those benefits for themselves soon. Finally, I want to encourage your leaders to deliver on the reforms necessary to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina along the path to EU membership.

2. All countries in the region move much faster towards the EU and BiH is lagging behind. In your opinion, what is the reason for this and how can the current situation be changed?

I think other countries in the region have not only reached a national consensus on moving towards the EU but they are implementing that in practice. For sure there are difficult decisions to be taken and some sacrifices to be made. But Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro are all delivering on important reforms and have seen the benefit of that in terms of advancing towards the EU.

I think a similar commitment by all your political leaders to deliver on reforms in the interests of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina would see BiH moving more swiftly ahead on the path to EU membership.

3. How can Ireland, with its experience, assist BiH in its European path? Can you compare levels of the economy of the two countries?

As Ireland is of a similar size and population as BiH, I think our experience can be illustrative of the important benefits that EU membership could bring to a country like BiH.

EU membership has helped transform Ireland’s economy, from being one of the poorest countries in Europe when we joined in 1973 to being one of the world’s most open export economies, which Forbes magazine just last year voted the best place in the world to do business. EU membership gave us access to the single European market for our goods and services, helped us build up our infrastructure though significant structural funds, and strengthened our hand internationally as a member of the world’s largest trading bloc.

Membership of the EU is not always easy. We have had to make important constitutional, political and economic reforms throughout our forty years of membership.

But EU membership remains a national priority for the people of Ireland and for parties from across our political spectrum. Having benefitted so much ourselves, we would like to see other countries, such as BiH, benefit from EU membership also. This is why Ireland remains a strong supporter of EU enlargement and of BiH’s EU perspective.
 
4. In your opinion, has the time come for changing the engagement of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, i.e. should the OHR be closed in order to transmit the responsibility fully to the officials in BiH?

The international community, and the EU in particular, remain committed to seeing BiH advance towards EU membership. The EU has made clear what is necessary in order for that to happen. The international strategy towards the OHR is clear: it can close when the 5+2 conditions are met.
 
5. Recent talks between the leaders of political parties in BiH with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Fule on implementation of the ‘Sejdic-Finci’ judgement ended with no results. How do you comment on the possibility of having general elections in BiH this year if the Strasbourg Court judgment is not implemented?

I am concerned about the lack of progress in fulfilling the European Court of Human Rights judgement in the case of Sejdic Finci. I would like to see agreement on this necessary reform before the general elections later this year. I believe there is still time to find an agreement.

I fully support the efforts of Commissioner Fule and EUSR Sorensen to facilitate an agreement among your leaders. I am very clear, however, that the solution has to come from among your political representatives. I will be encouraging them to engage with the EU team and to work towards funding an agreement to this important issue.