by Bakir Dautbašić
Secretary-General
Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina

When the EU Support to Law Enforcement Project was launched in May 2012, the European Union said that it was time for BiH authorities to take ownership of the rule of law agenda and to tackle the challenges in view of the EU accession perspective. Hence, the Project has been one of the most significant for the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and all law enforcement agencies.
 
The EU accession process is demanding and very complex. Justice and home affairs is and should be at the heart of the agenda. Taking stock of the negotiations with previous enlargement countries, we are aware that the chapters on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights – Chapter 23 – and Justice, Freedom and Security – Chapter 24 – were the most challenging to address and conclude.
 
The Project has been complementing the efforts that the BiH-wide law enforcement is making to advance in the issues that these two Chapters cover  –  improving the capacities and capabilities to fight organised crime and corruption, to enhance cooperation with the criminal justice and to benefit from the regional and international police cooperation, best practices and experience-sharing.

Today, I can credibly say that the work done under the Project thus far has assisted us in making additional steps forward.
 
Firstly, the Project has provided a direct response to the needs and priorities of the BiH law enforcement while simultaneously focusing on finding a balance with the EU standards and priorities, which will have to be addressed in the EU pre-accession process. This was highly appreciated and impactful.
 
Secondly, in order to ensure a common understanding and knowledge of the key law enforcement issues, all activities have been organized in cooperation, coordination and continuous communication with us, the stakeholders from all levels.

Thirdly, we have proven that we can work together no matter which institution we come from as long as principles are fair and all have the right to speak and to be heard, to trust and to be trusted. This is exactly the platform that the Project has provided. This approach allowed the Project to gain a high level of trust of all the stakeholders and display trust in their ability to tackle the challenges and open questions.

Today, we are fine-tuning the work plan for the third, and the final phase of the Project, which will run until April 2014. There is no doubt that the Project’s ambition to prepare a sustainable foundation for further strengthening of the institutional structures and best practices in the law enforcement will be fulfilled.