Speech of EU Special Representative/High Representative for BiH Christian Schwarz-Schilling at the EUPM Campaign Launch Event


Police Commissioners, General Coppola, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,


Thank you for inviting me to this launch.


Policing is above all about creating a safer and better place to live.


A modern police force makes a huge contribution to the overall well-being of the community it serves.


That is why the confidence that ordinary people have in their police is paramount.


But policing is not just about the police.


We are all responsible for the community in which we live.


We are not simply residents, onlookers or, in the worst case, victims.


We all need to become engaged and to work together.


Bosnia and Herzegovina’s police professionals are clearly able to work together effectively, even when their political leaders cannot.


They also know what needs to be done to build effective policing.


Indeed, they demonstrated this in preparing the Police Reform Directorate Report.


As General Coppola has just pointed out, this provides a sound basis for police reform, even though political leaders are yet to adopt it.


More effective policing is also clearly what the vast majority of people in this country want.


And it is a key element of this country’s journey to the European Union, without which there will be no European future.


That is something that this country’s political leaders need to keep hearing.


Agreement on police restructuring will only be reached if they overcome fear and apprehension, find common ground and put a restructuring plan in place.


I am often asked “Who is responsible for delaying Bosnia and Herzegovina’s road to the European Union?” or “Who does not accept the three EU principles?”


I see that we have polygraph tests here. If the right politicians are willing to step forward, I will be only too happy to put these questions to them.


I hope then we’ll get a straight answer.


Thank you.

Europa.ba