The High Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, ahead of the
continuation of the BiH House of Representatives session today said that “the
need to modify the BiH constitution, to equip the country for the demands of EU
integration and to better serve the citizens is one that will not go away: the
choice the BiH Parliamentarians face is to move forward now or to delay any
progress for another four years.  It is disappointing that they did not
take the opportunity to do this last night. ” 

The High Representative said delegates in the House of Representative must
ask themselves a simple question:  “Can BiH afford another
delay?”   If this is not passed today, the rest of the International
Community will ask themselves “Why is BiH not willing to move
forward?” 

“This agreement is an important step towards making

Bosnia and Herzegovina

a more functional state,” the High
Representative said, “but it is only a first step. Constitutional reform is a
process, not an event. There will be a Phase II but not without a successfully
completed Phase I.”

The proposed changes will help equip BiH for EU
integration, which requires quick and effective adoption and implementation
of a large number of laws. BiH also needs more effective and efficient
government in order to increase the pace of reform, particularly in the economic
sector.

“The ability to take tough decisions is a sign of political maturity and
it was clear from my meetings in

Brussels

that the EU is watching to
see if BiH can make progress here or not. Failure to make progress
will send  a very negative signal to the International Community, and
to the citizens of Bosnia Hercegovina ,” the High
Representative said.