Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Mr. Thomas Mayr-Harting, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the Security Council Debate on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Madam President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro*, and Albania*, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, align themselves with this statement.
I join other speakers in welcoming High Representative Valentin Inzko, my good friend, back to the Council and would like to reassure him of our continued support. I would also like to welcome the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina and thank her for her statement.
Madam President,
The European Union continues to closely follow developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stability and progress in this country are both very important to us.
I have the pleasure to inform this Council that the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Union, its Member States and Bosnia and Herzegovina will enter into force on 1 June 2015, following the adoption in Sarajevo of the “Written Commitment”, which sets out an ambitious framework for a comprehensive reform agenda. We attach strategic importance to this “Written Commitment” to reform and progress towards EU membership, which was adopted by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, signed by the leaders of the political parties and endorsed by the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These positive developments are crucial signs of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strong partnership with the European Union, and evidence of the country’s commitment to the EU path, in the context of the renewed EU approach outlined by the Council of the European Union in December 2014 of last year.
Madam President,
Following the October 2014 general elections, the process of formation of state and entity parliaments and governments has now been concluded.
Representatives of the newly formed State and entity level governments are now engaging with the European Union and international partners, including with the international financial institutions, towards the development and implementation of the “initial reform agenda”. This reform agenda should be in line with the EU acquis and will need to focus on the Copenhagen criteria (socio-economic reforms including rule of law and good governance) and also agreed functionality issues (including the EU coordination mechanism). It should also embrace the Compact for Growth initiative, of which this Council was informed in May of last year.
Comprehensive efforts towards implementation of reforms by the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina will benefit all citizens of the country, irrespective of their ethnicity or religious affiliation. Meaningful progress in the implementation of reforms will strengthen stability and build strong foundations for future development and prosperity. It will also play a role in further progress on the EU integration path.
Despite these important positive signs, there is a long way to go in Bosnia and Herzegovina before we can declare unreserved success. Deeply rooted divisions remain and reconciliation is slow. Socio-economic challenges can be easily manipulated for political purposes. There are attempts to do so. Divisive and separatist rhetoric remains a cause for serious concern and is highly disruptive for the reforms that Bosnia and Herzegovina has to implement. Statements are made and initiatives are taken for short term political purposes. Misleading and harmful political visions are offered to the public, often to consolidate power and to distract attention from deep socio-economic challenges and from the political responsibility for the state of the economy. Such behaviour undermines trust in the domestic political leadership, questions its intentions and its commitment to the success of the reform process in the country.
Madam President,
Since September 2011, the consolidated presence of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been fully engaged in supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina, including in all EU related matters. The recently appointed EUSR/HoD Lars-Gunnar Wigemark has just arrived in Sarajevo, and will, like his predecessors, continue to also provide political guidance on military issues with a local political dimension to the EU Force Commander.
The European Union also continues to accompany Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in the security field. The overall security situation has remained calm and stable; yet stability has not been entrenched. The recent dramatic incident in Zvornik, where a police station was attacked by an individual and a policeman was killed, is an indicator of the persistent risks in the area of public order and security, and a reminder of the need for continuous efforts in these areas. In addition, the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina need to address the root causes of the socio-economic difficulties and further improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
In relation to this, the EU is ready to keep EUFOR Althea focused on capacity-building and training while retaining the capability to contribute to the authorities’ deterrence capacity if the situation so requires, and an executive military role to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts to maintain the safe and secure environment under a United Nations mandate.
In the context of the overall EU strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, we look forward to continuing the discussion with the international community on the reconfiguration of the international presence, in the appropriate forum, and call on the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet the outstanding objectives and conditions for the closure of the Office of the High Representative.
Madam President,
The European Union reiterates its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and united country as well as to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European Union prospect. The EU will continue to provide the necessary support and assistance to promote the country’s stability, reforms, development and European integration process.
A new energy and spirit are evident. These must be sustained and strengthened further to take on the deep-rooted divisions and challenges which remain. This includes the need for significant improvement of the efficiency and functionality of the country’s institutions in general, to ensure sustainability and continuity of democratic reforms since 1995, and to develop capacities and capabilities required in the context of the EU accession, particularly as regards coordination among various levels of government.
Therefore, I would like to use this opportunity to invite this Council to urge the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina to respond to its citizens’ demands, maintain the positive momentum by delivering on its commitments to reforms, including those relating to the adaptation of the SAA, to look beyond persistent political divisions, and to finally and decisively move the country forward on its reform agenda, towards stability and prosperity for all its citizens, on the path to the European Union.
The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve progress, prosperity and the perspective of a better future. The European Union stands ready to help and assist the country to complete this vision and encourages all the stakeholders in the country and the region to provide their share of support. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tangible progress on the comprehensive reform path is in the best interest of the country, the region and the European Union itself.
Thank you.
* The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
