In an interview for the website www.reci.ba, Ambassador Varga also noted that the European Union is not satisfied with the progress of BiH authorities in meeting requirements from the Road Map for the abolition of the visa regime. “On this issue, BiH is last in the region, and the necessary reforms must be implemented as soon as possible in the institutions of the state, primarily in the Parliamentary Assembly and Council of Ministers”, Varga warned.
Speaking of OHR-EUSR transition, the Hungarian Ambassador recalled the view recently expressed by the EU Council of Ministers that OHR should be closed in the course of this year if all the preconditions are met. “We think this is not a mission impossible, because most of these obligations have already been fulfilled. Four of five objectives have been completed in part or entirely, and this has been acknowledged by EU, while one of the two conditions has also been fulfilled”, Varga noted. Fulfilment of the remaining requirements would pave the way for a transition from OHR into a very strong, professional and active Office of the EU Special Representative in BiH.
Advocating a stronger focus on economic issues in BiH, Ambassador Varga highlighted the negative effects of the ongoing discussion on derogating CEFTA. “Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a great challenge and serious test, because if it wants to be successful and acknowledged, even within a business environment that is many times smaller and economically weaker than the European Union, it must make adjustments, cooperate and modernize”, Imre Varga concluded.
The complete text of the interview with the Hungarian ambassador is available at www.reci.ba.
