Interview with HR/VP Federica Mogherini for the daily Dnevni Avaz


This interview was originally published in the daily Dnevni Avaz on 23 February 2015


You personally are very engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina since you become a EU commissioner/High Rep, and it seems that our country will, if the written commitment for reforms is adopted in Parliament, make an important step forward after almost seven years. What would this mean and benefit to an ordinary citizen and what to new government and when in a closest future SAA could be activated?

There is a great will in the EU to see BiH move forward on its EU path. BiH belongs with us in the European Union family. The expressions of support so far for the Written Commitment are encouraging and if it is endorsed by the Parliament, it will open the way for the EU to take a decision on the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

The benefits for BiH of fully implementing the SAA include promoting the free movement of goods, creating efficient institutions, developing a market economy with consumer protection, reducing crime and corruption, promoting higher education reform, developing democracy, human rights, and promoting an independent media and improving transport infrastructure. It reinforces the concrete perspective of membership, as the country brings the various sectors into line with EU standards.

Overall it would have two important impacts: first it provides a clearer and safer framework for investors and will contribute to improving the business environment. We believe it will send a message to EU companies encouraging them to invest and create jobs in BiH. And by encouraging BiH to harmonise its standards with the EU ones, it will also facilitate the ability of BiH companies to compete on the EU market. Second, it means a closer dialogue between the EU and BiH in a wide range of areas. Regular meetings between the EU and BiH would be stepped up; this will solidify BiH’s closer cooperation with the EU in many policy areas and will bring about further predictability and credibility.

Does EU plan to monitor the implementation of the reform agenda, and how this will be utilised? Do you plan to take good implementation of the reforms as a condition for eventual application for membership for Bosnia or financial aid?

Yes, we will be working hand in hand with the BiH institutions – and indeed the International Financial Organisations and our international partners – on the implementation of the reform agenda.

Performance on the initial reform agenda is indeed what would enable BiH to move towards submitting a credible membership application – so there is a clear incentive for implementation. A membership application is what kicks off the process towards the eventual important milestone of candidate status for a prospective member state. I would like to stress that the EU is looking for implementation of the measures that will be developed and not just declaratory commitment.

In terms of financial assistance, the European Commission has already set out last December that from 2014 to 2017 there will be 165.8 million EUR available. These will be for reform projects in the areas democracy and governance, rule of law and fundamental rights, local development strategies for competitiveness and innovation and education, employment and social policies. The Commission stands ready to extend IPA support to further sectors, including where justified with the allocation of additional funds, when Bosnia and Herzegovina adopts the relevant countrywide strategic documents.

New anti-terror and anti-radicalisation plan and measures within the EU are being debated. Are you satisfied with the Bosnian contribution in a global engagement against violent extremism and terrorism having regard that some people from Bosnia are fighting within ISIL?

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a solid track in its efforts to fight against terrorism. Since 2004, the BiH Counter-terrorism Task Force has been functioning. A number of serious police-prosecution operations indicate a strong commitment of BiH institutions to prevent and pursue terrorist activities and those involved in such criminal acts.

Let us remember that BiH has suffered terrorist attacks on its soil as well – the Bugojno police station bombing and the attack on US Embassy in Sarajevo.

Bosnia and Herzegovina was the first country in the region to criminalize the unlawful establishing and joining foreign paramilitary or para-police formations. Recent statements from the BiH Presidency, the Chairman-designate of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs present a clear stance of BiH authorities regarding joint efforts in the international arena to combat terrorism world-wide. Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to continue on this path and work on the improvement of its capacities, including the introduction of strategic documents and policies aligned with the EU and other international standards and policies.

Another important step forward in this fight will be closer cooperation with Europol through the operational agreements which are in procedure towards being finalised.



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