Leadership and accountability are key to BiH’s EU future – Ashton & Füle

by High Representative/Vice President Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle

Serbia and Kosovo have made a historic move towards the European Union. European leaders decided to open accession negotiations with Serbia and talks on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo. This is not only of great significance for Serbia and Kosovo but also for the entire Western Balkan region; particularly as Croatia just joined the Union on 1 July.

The agreement reflects Serbia and Kosovo’s determination to see their future in the European Union, based on a commitment to contribute to lasting reconciliation in the region. It also shows the credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy; the EU delivers on its promises once an applicant country meets the necessary criteria.

In acknowledging the progress that Serbia and Kosovo have made in normalising their relations, the European Union has recognised the courage of Prime Ministers Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaҫi in concluding the recent ground-breaking agreement.

There are two important lessons to be taken from the experiences of Serbia and Kosovo to avoid Bosnia and Herzegovina being left behind:

First, the impetus needs to come from brave and bold leadership. In the case of Serbia and Kosovo Prime Ministers Dačić and Thaҫi found compromises that, while not ideal for either side, helped them to move forward. Without political courage and determination, the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina will not progress.

Second, it is vital to listen to the people. People in the region, and certainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, want not only jobs, trade and investment, but also to live peacefully together. The EU helps to make all of this happen – that’s why the countries of central and Eastern Europe wanted to join after 1989 and it’s why the leaders in your neighbouring states are making progress towards the EU a priority. We believe that politicians must be accountable to the citizens, a feeling we have seen shared on the streets of several cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past month.

The European Union is here as the committed partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our offer is clear. But so far, it appears that short term party or ethnic interests have been more important than taking a decision about the long term future. This needs to change urgently, and making this change is a matter for both the leaders and the people.

The political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina need to address now the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights judgement in the Sejdić-Finci case to end discrimination. This will pave the way for the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and for a credible application for membership of the European Union. We know that the implementation of the Sejdić-Finci judgement cannot address all the challenges faced by Bosnia and Herzegovina. These can, however, be tackled later, as Bosnia and Herzegovina goes through the European Union accession process.

The question therefore is if Bosnia and Herzegovina is happy to be left behind as its neighbours move forward. The European Union cannot and will not impose your future on you. We will help you, but ultimately Bosnia and Herzegovina is responsible for taking the right steps now, if a European future is what its people desire.

Europa.ba