Europees Parlement: Bosnië-Herzogovina moet patstelling doorbreken (en)

European Parliament Plenary session

Strasbourg, 22 October 2008

I thank Doris Pack for her excellent report and welcome the opportunity to discuss Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with you today, at a crucial moment.

The signature of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement i (SAA) last June was a significant step forward for BiH. Together with the start of the visa dialogue, it gave a clear signal to the people of BiH that their future lies in the European Union.

The EU could initial the SAA last December and sign it in June because the country's political leaders pulled together and reached consensus on the main conditions, particularly police reform. This proves that progress can be achieved and crises overcome, when the political will exists.

However, this consensus has since collapsed and reforms halted.

Nationalist rhetoric ahead of the October local elections was a factor in this deterioration. Yet, the country's political problems run much deeper.

The lack of a common vision among the country's leaders about its future and the absence of consensus on EU reforms harm its European prospects. There is open disagreement on most political questions, while no sense of urgency or responsibility to overcome this stalemate.

I expressed my serious concern to the BiH Presidency during my visit in Sarajevo a few days ago. I underlined that BiH must put EU-related reforms at the top of their political agenda and address the priorities of the European Partnership, including state and institution building.

Your Resolution sends a strong signal to the leaders of BiH to get on with the reforms and get their country back on the road to Europe.

Likewise, BiH must be able to speak with one voice BiH to advance in European integration. Another litmus test of the country's ability to deliver on EU integration is the census. From an EU perspective, census data are vital for social and economic planning and development.

The Commission will offer its assessment on the situation in BiH in the Progress Report in November. We, too, shall point out the sheer fact that the leaders of BiH can either continue to quarrel and fall behind their neighbours, or get on with reform and move forward towards the EU.

* * *

Your resolution underlines that closing down the Office of the High Representative and strengthening the role of the European Union should remain our ultimate objective. I agree.

The future of the OHR is a matter for the Peace Implementation Council to decide. But it is in BiH's interest to reach a point where the OHR will no longer be needed, thus paving the way for a stronger EU presence.

As we move into the next phase in our relations, BiH itself must assume full ownership of the reform process that underpins its EU perspective.

The signature of the SAA this summer provided an opportunity that should not be wasted. The challenge for Bosnia's leaders is to achieve such a degree of political consensus that has delivered progress on EU integration elsewhere in the Western Balkans region. They have done it before, so they can do it again. I hope our messages will be heard.