prijava
BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO, March 27 (FENA) - The third meeting of the Stabilization and Association Committee between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina took place in Brussels today.
The delegations of the EU and BiH discussed the political and economic situation in BiH and exchanged information regarding the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement in the area of justice, freedom and security, trade, industry, internal market, social policy, transport, regional development, agriculture and fisheries.
The European Commission welcomed the submission of the responses to the EC Questionnaire, as well as the preparation of an action plan for the implementation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy, which enables the precise monitoring of measures in this area.
The Commission also welcomed the preparation of an amendment to the War Crimes Strategy and called on the authorities in BiH to address the issues of reconciliation.
The adoption of the Strategy for the Fight against Organized Crime and the removal of BiH from the FATF list in connection to anti-money laundering activities were also welcomed. In this domain, BiH among other things should strengthen its fight against cybercrime.
The European Commission welcomed the adoption of the revised BiH Action Plan to address the problems of Roma population and called on BiH to allocate additional funds to combat early leaving of school in Roma children and resolving of housing issues for Roma.
The Commission noted the progress of BiH in bilateral negotiations on accession to the World Trade Organization. BiH has also initiated amendments to Protocol 7 to the Stabilization and Association Agreement, to facilitate the export of BiH wines on the market of the Republic of Croatia.
Among the activities that BiH needs to implement are: create an adequate system for collection of RTV Tax, implement GRECO recommendations, especially those related to the financing of political parties, strengthen financial investigations and prosecutorial capacities in cases of trafficking in human beings, and establish a unique contact point for cooperation with EUROPOL.
The European Commission is concerned that there is no progress in the area of freedom of expression in relation to the 2016 report, and asks of BiH zero tolerance on the restrictions on media freedom. It was also concluded that the participation of women in the political arena in BiH remains to be low.
It was reiterated at the meeting that the Commission will devote special attention to the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in the preparation of the opinion on BiH's application for membership, as well as the phenomenon of "two schools under one roof".
The European Commission has urged BiH to abandon the rhetoric of divisions and to strongly continue with reforms, regardless of the election year.
(FENA) S. R.
