News in English     | 22.02.2021. 15:44 |

Sattler: Gradually reduce presence of the international community in BiH

FENA Hana Imamović

BANJA LUKA, February 22 (FENA) - Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johann Sattler, said today in Banja Luka that Bosnia and Herzegovina should strive to reduce the presence of the international community, assessing that the current presence is not compatible with EU membership.

Sattler attended the meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is being held in the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, hosted today by the Committee for European Integration and Regional Cooperation of the RS National Assembly.  

Speaking about the proposal of the candidacy for the new High Representative in BiH, which was presented by Germany, Sattler says that it is a positive signal and welcomed the indication of strong engagement of Germany, as the strongest country in the European Union.

“In the medium and long term, such a volume of the international community's presence in BiH is incompatible with EU membership. We are in some phases where we should strive to gradually reduce such a presence,” Sattler believes.

He reminded that lately there has been an increasing support of BiH citizens for the EU integration process and it amounts to 80 percent. Although the percentage is lower in Republika Srpska, the situation is much better compared to the region.

“Statistics are an indicator that the EU is your most loyal partner, and this has been shown in the coronavirus pandemic,” he stressed, adding that 2020 showed that steps forward are possible, and that some issues have been resolved, such as the elections in Mostar, therefore 2021 should be a year of opportunity.

He says that a more significant focus on BiH from the EU and the United States is noticeable, and it is necessary to use the opportunities brought by the non-election year in BiH.

“There are 14 key priorities of the European Commission that underline what needs to be done, what reforms to implement. There are difficult issues that will not be resolved overnight, but we expect stronger engagement of parties and elected officials and representatives of civil society in order to meet the expectations of 80 percent of citizens,” concluded Sattler.

Igor Crnadak, a member of the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) in the RS National Assembly, said that this meeting is coming at the right time because it is obvious that BiH's European path has been stalled.

“We are in a situation where not so many things are politically functioning and that is why it is a difficult job for everyone who has obligations in the process of European integration in BiH. That is why it is important to send the message that BiH wants and must meet the conditions and continue on the European path, and any circumvention of tasks or 'entering the side door' is not good for BiH,” said Crnadak.

(FENA) A. B.

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