The Foreign Affaiirs Council again warned on Bosnia’s stalled EU integration process due to political disputes and divisions, urging country’s institutions and elected leaders to respond to recent public protests by engaging with civil society and providing answers to their concerns.
“The Council reaffirms its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and united country,” it concluded after the debate on situation in the Balkans country, adding that “in this regard, it condemns as unacceptable secessionist and divisive rhetoric and ideas.”
Following its conclusions of December 2013, “the Council recalls its serious concern that the EU integration process in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has stalled due to the lack of political will on the part of the BiH politicians and the continued use of divisive rhetoric,” it said.
The Council “heard the public protests and calls by BiH citizens to improve the social and economic situation in the country. It strongly urges the BiH institutions and elected leaders to reach out to the people, engage with civil society and provide responsible and immediate answers to their legitimate concerns.”
“The Council emphasizes that it is the collective responsibility of all BiH political leaders. Ahead of the general elections in October 2014, more needs to be done, not less,” the conclusions read.
Reiterating that all EU requirements and criteria for progress in the integration process have to be met, the Council urges Bosnia’s leaders to focus, among other short term priorities, on socio-economic issues, in particularly high unemployment, strengthening the rule of law, on anticorruption and financial accountability measures and protecting human rights.
“The Council underlines the EU’s readiness to support these immediate efforts now. It welcomes Commission initiatives to improve economic governance and strengthen competitiveness as well as stimulate economic growth,” it said in the conclusions.
The Council also calls on the BiH leadership to engage as soon as possible after the October elections on a broader set of issues in order to address the challenges the country continues to face as it progresses towards the EU.
“In particular, it remains crucial that the BiH leaders undertake reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and functionality of BiH institutions at all levels.
“Implementation of the Sejdic-Finci judgment of the European Court of Human Rights also remains to be addressed,” the Council concluded.
Integral conclusions:http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/142215.pdf
