Zvizdić on Facts Published in European Commission Draft Report on BIH

A Draft Report of the European Commission on Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed that a progress was made in relation to the previous period, however with political obstructions again slowing down implementation of necessary reforms. 

Although a complete report should be issued, after the European Commission prepares its opinion on BIH application for the EU membership, the fact is that the positive part concerning political criteria refers mostly to the work of the Council of Ministers of BIH. It was concluded that the Council of Ministers remains committed to the EU road, as it is proven by key strategies adopted, with other strategies adoption pending, first of all energy strategy, prepared by the Council of Ministers, but on hold for adoption because of the missing Entity opinions. The report emphasised the operability of the coordination mechanism, which was, as one of the realised Reform Agenda aims, used effectively for providing answers to the European Commission Questionnaire.

The Report assesses positively the adoption of the economic reforms programme, and progress was noted in the private sector, coupled with the creation of better business environment, tackling with organised crime, corruption and money laundering, which resulted in taking BIH off the FATF and MONEYVAL “grey list”.

BIH improved when in question human rights and minority rights respect, but the assessment about media freedom should not be ignored as no democratic society is possible without it.

Another positive part under political criteria concerns activities of the Council of Ministers of BIH, that being the cooperation with civil society. Namely, the Council of Ministers of BIH signed an Agreement with civil society last November.

From the view of macro-economic stability, there is evident a constant steady growth and more favourable climate for foreign investments were evident, which is a good message to foreign investors. Securing effective judiciary and public administration reform is our obligation, if the foreign investment growth trend is to continue in future. For that, I urge the Entity Governments for a constructive role in the process of the Public Administration Reform Strategy adoption.

The European Union has clearly and unequivocally said to all BIH political leaders that they have to take responsibility and show readiness for compromise when it comes to the implementation of Constitutional Court of BIH award and European Court for Human Rights ruling, including the adoption of other laws set forth under the Reform Agenda, which was blocked due to daily-political reasons.

So, I call once again upon all political leaders and participants in the current political processes to take an effort to overcome inter-party tensions, and that we all together focus to implementation of the most important reforms, because the European road and economic development of BIH are of the higher priority than the election campaigns.

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