The BiH authorities are very well aware of the requirements for the abolishment of the visa regime for citizens traveling to the European Union, EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák has reiterated.

“I understand the difficulties that BiH citizens face when they have to apply for visas, and it would be irresponsible of me to predict exactly when the present requirements can be changed,” the EUSR wrote in reply to a question submitted to the website, www.reci.ba. “However, I want to stress yet again that there is absolutely no mystery as to the steps the competent authorities have to take immediately to change the visa regime.”

The EUSR noted that “negotiations on visa liberalization are underway and the conditions set by the European Commission can be fulfilled, as the other countries in the region are already fulfilling them.”

Mr Lajčák stated in his reply to the citizens that by dragging their feet in applying the EU requirements, BIH institutions simply send a message that they really do not care about the visa abolition. This is, at the very least, irresponsible attitude towards citizens and it has to be changed for the better immediately.

The EUSR’s replies are part of a continuous dialogue he has maintained with citizens through the interactive www.reci.ba website. Using the website Miroslav Lajčák has responded to hundreds of questions, and he has encouraged citizens to voice their hopes and fears regarding the EU integration process.

Visa requirements have consistently come at the top of citizens’ concerns.

In a recent posting the EUSR invited BiH citizens living in the EU to give an answer to his new question, share their thoughts and experiences, positive and negative, and to suggest ways in which BiH can make faster progress towards full integration.