Speaking in Banja Luka today, the High Representative and EU Special Representative, Valentin Inzko, listed concrete steps that BiH political leaders can take in the short term in order to revitalize the country’s EU integration process.

“We need much more dialogue and it needs to be genuine, open and focused on finding solutions and reaching compromises,” he said. “Political actors need to fundamentally re-think their approach – no matter how difficult that may be. At the same time, institutions need to start delivering concrete results, because the current record is simply not good enough.  Finally, those outside politics need to start engaging more and speaking out against extremism.”

The HR/EUSR was speaking at an international conference organized by the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The theme was “Where are Europe and Bosnia and Herzegovina Heading? Between Integration and Isolation.”

“Dayton and EU membership share common principles in so many ways and they are the same in this respect – there are rights and there are obligations – it is not an a la carte menu where you get to choose one while ignoring the other,” the HR/EUSR said.

The position of the international community has been crystal clear and it will remain so, he continued: Dayton must be fully respected. At the same time, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their leaders must look forwards, not backwards. The country must show that it can meet the requirements for EU and NATO membership.

The HR/EUSR said he was convinced that the European Union’s “open door” policy towards BiH will not change. “It is clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be invited to join – but a Bosnia and Herzegovina that meets EU standards,” he said.