Commissioner Štefan Füle to open EU-BiH SAA Structured Dialogue on Justice on 6 June

European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle arrives to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday. Commissioner Füle will meet with the BiH Presidency members in Sarajevo and with the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka where he will open the EU-BiH SAA Structured Dialogue on Justice.

Ahead of the visit Commissioner Štefan Füle stated: „By launching a dialogue on justice related reforms within the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process, the EU is offering to the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina an important platform. This dialogue provides an opportunity that cannot be missed.“

All media are invited to attend the following media opportunities on Monday 6 June:

12:45 Meeting with the BiH Presidency members – photo opportunity
(BiH Presidency building)

13:15 Press statements by the BiH Presidency Member, Bakir Izetbegovic and Commissioner Füle
(BiH Presidency building)

16:30 EU-BiH SAA Structured Dialogue on Justice: Welcome and opening address by Commissioner Füle – photo opportunity

18:00 Meeting with the RS President Milorad Dodik
(RS President’s Palace, Banja Luka)

18:20 Press statements by the RS President Milorad Dodik and Commissioner Füle
(RS President’s Palace, Banja Luka)

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EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina Structured Dialogue on Justice
The European Union intensifies its cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina to address the reforms that are key for progress towards the EU. In addition to the sectoral cooperation in place under the Interim Agreement, the EU is setting up a Structured Dialogue on Justice, under the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

The main objective of this dialogue is the consolidation of the rule of law and the establishment of an independent, effective, impartial and accountable judicial system across the whole country to the benefit of every citizen.

Various judicial issues including the set up, competences and working methods of judicial institutions will be discussed with a view to making the whole system in Bosnia and Herzegovina compatible with European standards and rules.

The Commission welcomes that Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready to undergo this challenging process, which all candidate countries had to face during their European integration process in the light of the political Copenhagen criteria for accession. Substantial technical advice and financial support will be made available by the EU.

The opening meeting of the Structured Dialogue will take place on 6 June in Banja Luka in presence of Commissioner Štefan Füle. The BiH Delegation will be led by the Minister of Justice, Bariša Čolak. Representatives of the relevant authorities at the state level and the level of both entities and the Brčko-District will attend the meeting.

Subsequent meetings will follow in order to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to make sustainable progress in this very important field.

Europa.ba