Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliaments should actively shape the EU affairs. The EU cannot want Bosnia and Herzegovina within the EU more than Bosnia and Herzegovina wants it itself, said Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina /EU Special Representative Ambassador Peter Sorensen today in Sarajevo. He was addressing the members of the state and entity EU integration parliamentary committees at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Coordination Forum.

The Forum is a local initiative launched with an aim to provide the State and Entities EU Integration Committees with a permanent forum for coordination of the EU related legislation between different levels of government in BiH, which proved to be necessary for BiH swifter advancement towards the EU.          

The latest Progress Report recognised that the coordination mechanism between the State-level and all authorities on EU-related matters require substantial strengthening and the EU hopes the Parliamentary Forum will establish and strengthen much needed coordination.

If politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina are serious about wanting to provide their voters with the benefits connected to eventual EU membership, the EU related laws and activities will need to move up front of the political agenda, said Ambassador Sorensen, pointing out that such a move would require Parliamentary leadership and competent staff, followed by relevant parliamentary procedures enabling the EU related legislation smooth and timely harmonisation and implementation.    

I call upon Bosnia and Herzegovina legislatures to lose no time and introduce – fast track procedure for all EU legislation. As a true partner, we stand ready to help, concluded Ambassador Sorensen.