Brussel en Sarajevo oneens over het overdragen van macht (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission and the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina disagree on the timetable for handing over of full power to the Bosnian government, with Brussels urging Sarajevo to take "full responsibility" for its own affairs next year.

After talks with EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn i in Brussels on Wednesday (28 June), Bosnian prime minister Adnan Terzic said that "commissioner Rehn and myself do not share the same view on this issue."

The international community, including the European Commission, is seeking to end the interventionist mandate of the international community's high representative in Sarajevo, Christian Schwarz-Schilling.

Mr Schwarz-Schilling himself said last week that his mandate is to end by the middle of next year, after which his post will be that of the EU's special representative, holding far less powers to intervene in Bosnian affairs.

Mr Schwarz-Schilling's current post was set up as part of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, and involves wide-ranging competencies including the possible sacking of high-ranking Bosnian officials.

Mr Rehn indicated that "prior to the [October] elections we wanted to give the message to make it clear that it is time for the full empowerment and responsibility to the leaders and politicians of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

But Mr Terzic stated "I believe it is a mistake to close down the Office of the High Representative without having the SAA [Stabilisation and Association Agreement] signed," referring to a preliminary deal on closer ties with Brussels which could be signed before the end of the year.

Sarajevo believes Brussels is wrong in talking about ending international supervision on Bosnian affairs at a time when the signing of an SAA deal - symbolising the first tangible step on a long road to possible EU accession - is still uncertain.

"The Office of the High Representative is required in case things go in the opposite direction of the SAA," Mr Terzic stated.

Police reform

The fragility of SAA reforms is highlighted by trouble in demands by the EU of police reform, which is facing difficulties in particular in the Republika Srpska, the Bosnian Serb entity.

Mr Rehn stated "Unfortunately we have not seen much progress concerning the police reform and this is the message I want to pass also and particularly to the Republika Srpska."

"Those who obstruct the police reform are at the same time refusniks who obstruct the road of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union, the first stepping stone of which is to conclude the Stabilisation and Association Agreement," he added.

Mr Terzic, echoing the commissioner's remarks, said "Those who are responsible know who they are."

"All I can hope for is that citizens will recognise who is responsible in the upcoming elections," he added.