Speaking to SRNA, outgoing Swedish ambassador to BiH Bose Hedberg said that he did not expect to see authorities implement the Sejdic-Finci decision by the end of 2013. He stressed the importance of progress on the issue, which is holding up the so-called EU road map for BiH.
“As far as any new deadlines in connection with implementing this decision are concerned, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule gave the best answer recently, saying that the BiH authorities must bear in mind two events in 2014 – the general elections in BiH and the elections in the EU,” Hedberg said.
Ambassador Hedberg also spoke about the expansion of the EU’s role in BiH and the corresponding reduction in power of the Office of the High Representative:
“The international presence in BiH will continue, but with a different philosophy in connection with providing support through an advisory role and of course financial support in order to implement reforms,” Hedberg says, adding that by the time the OHR is closed, the BiH authorities will have to meet the so-called “five plus two” conditions and goals.
