Debate: - Reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Date: WEDNESDAY, 23 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Ana Paula Zacarias
Language: EN

Senhor Deputado, gostaria de começar por manifestar o meu reconhecimento pelo seu trabalho e empenho enquanto relator deste importante relatório sobre a Bósnia e Herzegovina. A Presidência Portuguesa do Conselho investiu uma importante dose de energia política no dossiê do alargamento e no processo de estabilização e associação, e ontem tivemos a ocasião de debater o tema no Conselho de Assuntos Gerais, no Luxemburgo, e organizar as primeiras conferências intergovernamentais políticas com o Montenegro e com a Sérvia ao abrigo da nova metodologia do alargamento. Além disso gostaria de saudar aqui o importante acordo alcançado com o Parlamento Europeu, em sede do trílogo sobre o Regulamento IPA III, um instrumento que esperamos possa entrar em aplicação nos próximos meses, apoiando os países beneficiários, incluindo a Bósnia e Herzegovina. I will switch now back to English to recall our unequivocal commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European perspective as a single, united and sovereign country. That said, the country’s progress towards the European Union depends on its efforts to comply with the required membership criteria. The country needs to fulfil the 14 key priorities identified in the Commission’s opinion endorsed by the Council in 2019. The Council has urged all political actors to overcome divisive and secessionist rhetoric rooted in the past, to end the glorification of convicted war criminals and to demonstrate full cooperation with international tribunals by respecting their decisions. The recent final decision on the Mladić case is important also in this context. Overall, Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved limited progress on reform over the past year, despite some new momentum and some positive steps taken recently. The Council shares the rapporteur’s assessment that it is now necessary to start addressing reforms aimed at fundamentally improving the legislative and institutional framework and to comply with the requirements for EU membership in several areas. It is also of particular relevance to improve the functioning of the judiciary and the fight against organised crime and corruption. While we welcome last year’s holding of the first local elections in Mostar since 2008, as you mentioned, further constitutional and electoral reforms are needed to ensure the equality and non—discrimination of citizens. In this regard, we noted that the constitution remains uncompliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council also shares your position that Bosnia and Herzegovina should take the necessary steps to guarantee freedom of expression and media freedom and ensure the protection of journalists. A safe and enabling environment for civil society is essential to ensure the necessary support to the reforms to the European path. The Council has welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued active participation in missions and operations under the common security and defence policy. However, we are seriously concerned that the country’s rate of alignment with the common foreign and security policy has dropped this year. The impact of COVID—19 has led to a sharp drop in economic activity in Bosnia—Herzegovina and in the region, with a severe impact on social cohesion and on the most vulnerable groups. The Union will continue to provide much-needed assistance in the Western Balkans, including to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all the three institutions remain committed to further cooperation with and support to our partners in the region.