OHR’s Statement at the International Agencies’ Joint Press Conference in Mostar

The Challenge For BiH’s Political Representatives


In his speech to the BiH Parliaments House of Representatives yesterday the
High Representative underlined that the over-riding twin strategic objectives
have been long established; membership of NATO’s PfP and the launch of formal
negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement – the SAA – with the
EU.


There are only two key issues which remain outstanding
For the EU: the adoption of a law on the Public Broadcasting System in line with

Dayton

principles and
EC requirements; and agreement on police restructuring in line with EU
principles.


The over-riding objective is to clear these two remaining obstacles in the
next few weeks. To do this the High Representative appealed to BiH politicians
to forge a genuine political consensus – across parties, transcending government
and opposition – on the EU reform agenda.


The fact that these matters only too often become casualties of party
political battles is a matter that is clear to all; particularly BiH’s
electorate. Recent polling – and you can get graphic representations of all of
this from me afterwards – show that there is a disconnect between peoples
expectations and their perceived ability of their representatives, both
Government and opposition, to deliver. The zero sum game that is BiH’s political
reality has serious repercussions on BiH’s population.


As you can see a clear 86% of BiH’s population want BiH to join the EU. What
should be of the greatest concern to all elected representatives is that the
majority of people in BiH feel that it is the international community that will
get them into the EU fastest. Furthermore, over 65% of people feel that both
Governing and opposition parties lack credibility. This message couldn’t be
clearer.


How to address this? As the High Representative said yesterday [I quote]
“every single country that has succeeded in joining the EU in recent years has
formed a consensus across political parties, has managed to put EU reforms above
the day-to-day political fray” [end quote].


BiH has a huge opportunity in front it: to cross the threshold into the
Stabilisation and Association Process – the SAA this year before the
10th Anniversary of Dayton.  This is the main task all BiH’s
politicians should be concentrating on, and working on together.


 


HR in Gorazde today


The High Representative is in Gorazde today meeting with the Canton Prime
Minister, Salko Obhodjas, and the Minister of Interior Nusret Sipovic. They will
discuss the general situation in the

Canton

and specifically the
importance of police reform.


I have brought along copies of the media advisory which you can collect after
the press conference.

Europa.ba