Dr. Daviddi: Now is the time for results

This Op-Ed by Deputy Head of EU Delegation in BiH, Dr. Renzo Daviddi, was originally published in the daily “Nezavisne Novine”

 

2015 marks two decades since the Dayton-Paris Peace Accords, which ended the terrible war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an opportunity to examine what has been achieved in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to consider the road ahead. People of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I believe, want to be able to look to the future with optimism.

The progress achieved by Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last two decades is important. But there is still need for deep reforms, a subject that the BiH authorities and the European Union are discussing at the moment. BiH leaders and institutions need to pursue constructive policies and genuine socio-economic reforms in the interests of the citizens. If they do so, they will find a willing partner in the European Union.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a European country – its final ‘destination’ is the European Union, we have no doubt. All 28 Member States are committed and convinced that the country has the means to complete its journey to full European Union integration.

We are often asked if the DPA represents an obstacle on the European path of the country. Indeed, the DPA does create inefficiencies – for example: several jurisdictions with unclear division of competences, 3 Prime Ministers, 147 Ministers, and so on. Nonetheless, BiH does work, in its own fashion.

Crucially, and as we have seen in certain cases, provided there is the political will on the side of the relevant authorities, the constitutional set up of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not prevent them from working together on reforms that are beneficial for all citizens. These reforms are what EU integration is all about – reforms that improve the economy, the education system and the environment, and stamp out corruption and make government more efficient and responsive to citizens.

To make the EU accession process objective and transparent, the Member States have set out a number of rules and criteria to help them decide when an applicant country is ready to join the Union and become a member. These criteria are clear: stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, protection of minorities (called political criteria); existence of a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competition and market forces within the EU (called economic criteria); and the ability to take on the obligations of membership (for example, applying EU legislation).

How to do this? The SAA.

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) that will come fully into force on 1 June 2015 is the first real step forward of BiH on its path towards the EU. The SAA brings BiH and the EU closer together. Through it we build a closer and wider relationship economically, institutionally and politically. The Interim Agreement that has been in force since 2008 has prepared BiH.

The SAA opens a binding agenda for deep reforms that, experience shows, will improve people’s quality of life, and get the country closer to EU membership. The next step would be the submission and acceptance of a credible application for EU membership. Real progress on reform is required for that, and this is what the EU’s renewed approach is targeting.

The SAA sets out the rules for a comprehensive free trade partnership between BiH and the EU to the benefit of both. The free flow of goods between the EU and BiH created by the SAA means that BiH companies can access the EU’s internal market of some 500 million consumers, provide their services across the EU and compete for public contracts. And BiH citizens will benefit from a host of EU product quality and health and safety standards that will be directly applicable in BiH. The SAA makes better quality, safer goods available.
I believe that the effort is worth it – being part of the EU has a huge amount to offer. For instance, BiH citizens would join the over 500 million inhabitants – the world’s third largest population after China and India. With just 7% of the world’s population, the EU’s trade with the rest of the world accounts for around 20% of global exports and imports.

And the EU is more than a single market, or an association of countries trading with each other without restrictions or tariffs.

It represents a vision of peace and prosperity on the European continent. It is about values and ideals of peace, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. These values and ideals are common across a continent that, at the same time, is defined by the diversity of its cultures, traditions, and languages.

With each successive enlargement, the EU has been able to extend its benefits to more citizens. Its scope has also grown with the various interests that the countries joining the Union have brought to the table or that circumstances have created, such as external action, the environment, regional policy, and setting up a single market for goods and services.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has come a long way since 1995, including with international assistance.

The country has progressed significantly in the past two decades. Yet, it can and must do more. The EU accession perspective which is solidly backed by all 28 Member States – including the reforms that are required to make that accession a reality – , is instrumental in further improving functionality of institutions at all levels of government.

We know that the area where the citizens and the EU perspective demand most improvements is the economy. Citizens’ top concerns are jobs, a better economy, fairer welfare – and they do not see politicians addressing that enough. Urgent action is now required by those that are elected by the citizens of this country to better their lives and to move forward on the path towards the EU.

We know the people of this country want an EU future. The EU is ready to do our part. We now need to see all authorities, all leaders and all institutions find consensus, find agreements and make progress. In short, 20 years after the Dayton-Paris agreement it’s time for results – it’s time for those in authority to step up and take responsibility for a better future.

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