Debate: - Reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Paulo Rangel
Country: Germany
Language: EN

It is clear that deep reforms are still to be implemented in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to reach their aspired candidate status. However, taking into account the particularly acute situation caused by COVID—19, some progress was made, and here let me underline the elections in Mostar. For 12 years, people were not able to vote in local elections and the city was left without a local government. Last year, political leaders found ground for compromise and Mostar citizens were heard last December. Furthermore, our parliamentary dialogue was finally re—established. After years of not being able to meet, the EU—Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee finally met last week, and we were able to restart an essential parliamentary cooperation.  There is a lot to do regarding the implementation of the 14 key priorities. We know that it’s a long way. Nonetheless, I truly believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina can achieve more and deliver faster results. To give one example – a good one – authorities have started the debate on the constitutional and electoral reform. We know how demanding such changes are, but if there is political will and commitment they will be able to succeed.  I hope – we hope – that this work, with the support of the European Union and the United States, can bring the Constitution and electoral law into line with EU standards before the 2022 general elections, ensuring an adequately diverse political representation at all levels of governance. It is high time for all constituent peoples and all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina to have their democratic representation fully ensured, complying with European Court of Human Rights decisions and European standards in this very sensitive area. It is possible and it is feasible. Again, it is a matter of will.  Bosnia and Herzegovina is not the only multi—ethnic state in Europe. Future reform must guarantee absolute respect for the multicultural and pluralistic nature of the country, whilst ensuring a functional and viable democracy where all the peoples and all the citizens are equal. A solution must be found within a broad and inclusive debate and dialogue in the country, having in mind that, for it to be possible and sustainable, all the three peoples must embrace it. Let me kindly and humbly remind you that all leaders and authorities must be clear when explaining the advantages of EU integration and make sure our support is known by the people, namely the economic recovery assistance and the efforts to create better conditions for young people to stay in the country. Continuing efforts on meaningful, genuine reconciliation with the troubled past of Bosnia and Herzegovina are crucial. You know that there is a particular field which we all must work on: education. A reform of the education system must take place, namely by warranting equal education for all children and young people, ending any segregation. It’s never too much to say: rule of law reforms are urgent. There has been no progress in the judicial area, which deeply undermines society’s trust in the institutions.  The fight against corruption must be a focus of all authorities. Effective and comprehensive country—wide human rights and anti—discrimination strategies, as well as measures against interfaith and inter—ethnic intolerance are also needed, especially when talking about vulnerable minorities.  We know that migratory pressure is a matter of great concern for all of us. Better coordination and burden sharing should be ensured across the country to build up the capacities to manage the thousands of migrants and asylum seekers. I am also thinking of the brain—drain on the economy and of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This resolution is also an act of faith. We believe in the Bosnian peoples and citizens. We believe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we believe in the European vocation and future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.