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SARAJEVO, October 4 (FENA) - The amount of time spent on seeking consensus for the establishment of the state government following the October 2018 election is disappointing, said today the United States Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Eric Nelson in an interview with the news agencies FENA and SRNA.
“Time is ticking away and people are leaving the country because of the stagnation caused by the lack of progress in reform implementation, which is why people are leaving to live and work abroad, arguing that they are in fact voting for the rule of law “with their feet,” said Nelson.
He added that the US wants to see the formation and convening of a new Council of Ministers as soon as possible, we want to see a parliament that functions and sits regularly, and the formation of the Federation entity authorities and governments in cantons so that everyone is committed to implementing reforms.
“We need to take steps that lead forward, not backward," Nelson emphasized.
Nelson confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a strong partner in the US that will continue to provide strong bilateral support in the country's progress.
He emphasized that such delays in forming the authorities do not suit the international community, but what they want to support and see is a consensus among the leaders because while politicians are holding talks on forming coalitions, the need for the normal functioning of institutions should not be forgotten.
Right now, Nelson says, there is a lack of clear political will to move forward because stagnation is not good.
Speaking generally about the relations between the two countries, he noted that he views them as stable and consistent, adding that support for BiH, as a country with two entities and three constituent peoples and the other nations, would remain consistent, with the support of the entire US administration.
Noting the fact of the recent appointment of Matthew Palmer as Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Nelson believes this is a clear confirmation of the stability of that relationship and Washington's commitment.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has a strong partner in the United States. We invested nearly 2 billion USD in rebuilding the country after the war of the 1990s and we continue to provide strong bilateral support to assist the country's progress,” Nelson said.
He commented on the fact that he met with BiH Presidency Chairman and member Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović, but not with Presidency member Milorad Dodik, saying that he was always ready to meet with members of the state presidency and discuss how the US can help BiH move forward.
However, Nelson recalled that Dodik was currently under US sanctions for his actions that violated the Dayton Peace Agreement, and Washington took this very seriously. He, therefore, hopes that in the future the partnership would be positive and focused on BiH's progress.
The US Ambassador also mentioned China and Russia's influence on the Western Balkans noting that the US is closely monitoring Russia's influence because they see their moves as destabilizing and that China often leaves their partner countries highly indebted.
“The rule of law and the advancement of the rule of law is our highest priority so that US businesses have an equal chance of success in the market. In the US, we have severe penalties that are imposed on businesses involved in any corrupt practices and we want to see that here,” Nelson added.
He hoped that the BiH authorities would focus and achieving better results in terms of the rule of law, reforms and reducing corruption.
Nelson also said that the United States is burdened by the negative rhetoric that is often present here where one side sees itself as the opposing one, and believes it is important to think about a future where the United States will be a strong and trusting partner and ally for all BiH citizens.
He emphasized that voters have a big role to play because their vote is precious, which is why it is important for them to vote for an option that brings results for the entire country.
He referred to some of the statements made by the US President Donald Trump, which he says could be applied in BiH, highlighting the one concerning the commitment to peace, and Nelson explained that NATO is important to the US because it has turned enemies into allies and has enabled shared security and trust.
"Trump also spoke about leaders facing the challenge of choosing conflict over peace, saying that a strong leader is needed that will choose peace," Nelson added.
At the end of the interview, the US Ambassador emphasized that boosting economic growth in BiH is one of the key US priorities because it provides stability and security for all citizens.
He recalled that the United States is allocating funding to improve the education system to prepare young people for the 21st century jobs, and that their focus is on civic activism education and education in natural sciences, technology, mathematics and engineering.
“We are investing in sectors that have a particularly positive growth potential such as tourism, agriculture and the timber industry, and have called on businesses to unite and jointly seek reforms that will help them make their businesses easier and better,” said Nelson.
He concluded his interview by saying that efforts are also being invested in the unique resource that BiH has, and that is the diaspora with about two million people who are successful individuals in their businesses and that the United States is advocating for their return to BiH to open their businesses here and create new jobs.
(FENA) S. R.
