European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, Štefan Füle, met today in Sarajevo with representatives of civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The goal of the meeting was for the Commissioner to hear different perspectives from BiH society in light of recent social and economic protests and the failure of BiH political leaders to deliver an agreement on implementation of the Sejdic – Finci judgment.
Commissioner Fule said:
“I made it very clear to the political leaders yesterday that they have to listen to what people are saying and that they have to find answers to these questions. A functioning dialogue, especially in times of difficult socio-economic, as well as political circumstances, between citizens and political and institutional leaders is key for a democratic society to function properly.
“Unfortunately, the politicians of this country failed to make necessary compromises yesterday to move BiH forward on the EU integration path. I am disappointed, the EU is disappointed about this. Our offer to BiH to become an EU member state is genuine. EU integration is the best option for BiH, economically, socially and politically.”
Those attending the meeting were of the view that ongoing protests indicate that socio-economic issues and corruption were key issues that need to be addressed now, and identified the current political leadership of BiH as the main obstacle to reforms.
Commissioner Füle reiterated that EU fully supports right of citizens to peacefully demonstrate and to protest about the current economic, social and political situation in the country.
The meeting with Commissioner Füle was attended by participants from the Tuzla and Sarajevo Plenums, and representatives of: the Sarajevo Open Centre; Populari think tank; Centre for Civil Initiatives Mostar; Vesta Association; Media Centar Sarajevo; the Association of BiH Employers; the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber; CPI Foundation; Transparency International BiH; and the Confederation of BiH Independent Trade Unions.
