Both chambers of the BiH parliament voted to approve the Joint Statement of commitment to reforms, drafted by the BiH Presidency with input from party leaders, which is required to unlock new EU assistance. The vote came as EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini arrived in Sarajevo.
EU High Representative Mogherini addressed the joint session of parliament following the vote, calling the vote “a historical decision.” She congratulated MPs and the people of BiH, and laid out the next steps in the process of EU membership and reform.
The reforms to be undertaken aim at increasing the confidence in each other of investors and entrepreneurs, employers, employees and authorities. Increased confidence of this kind very often unlocks creativity and job creation. Also, the effects of the reforms should trickle down and result in improvements in healthcare, education and social services.
Furthermore there is:
– the need to put in place the measures needed to build a functioning market economy;
– the need to undertake further efforts to strengthen the rule of law and the process of reconciliation;
– and the need to deepen administrative capacity, and so improve the efficiency of your institutions at all levels.Another priority should be the establishment of a well-functioning coordination mechanism on EU matters. It is necessary for any successful interaction with the EU when preparing for future EU membership and for the receipt of EU funding. We also expect the deepening of the administrative capacities in the country which would enhance the efficiency of institutions at all levels.
In a press conference following her address, Mogherini stressed that the reform process had to be led from within BiH, and that Brussels would not impose solutions or “give homework.”
According to the EU’s plan for BiH, Ms. Mogherini will recommend to the EU foreign affairs council that new funding instruments be made available to BiH in order to facilitate reforms.
