The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, on Monday attended the opening session of the new BiH House of Representatives to express his support for the work of the new Parliament. 

In March 2006 the BiH authorities adopted the National Action Plan in order to deliver the requirements contained in the European Partnership. This action plan sets the agenda for the Parliament’s work.

“The Euro-Atlantic agenda is the driving force and the underlying premise of this Parliament’s work,” the High Representative / EU Special Representative said today. “The Dayton Peace Agreement provides the framework in which the administration operates but Parliament must look beyond that to the prospects for prosperity and security that will come from inaugurating a new chapter in BiH’s development. The goal is to create conditions which allow for signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement as soon as possible.”

The Office of the High Representative and the Office of the EU Special Representative stand ready to cooperate with the incoming parliamentarians in carrying forward a legislative agenda which will take the country to its desired destination of full Euro-Atlantic integration. The burden of responsibility however falls squarely on the shoulders of those elected officials sworn in today, “So the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina  rightly expect the political parties to move ahead rapidly. There is no time to waste. A new government and the newly elected House of Representatives must get to work quickly and start delivering,” the High Representative / EU Special Representative said.

“Before anything, however, the focus needs to be on the formation of government.  I thus regret that the inauguration of the House of Representatives has been marked by a delay – however short.  Rapid formation of the BiH government, and the BiH House of Representatives returning to the reform agenda must be priorities for this country.”