An EU press release said EU High Representative Josep Borrell met Wednesday with the members of the BiH Presidency and that Borrell “welcomed their collective commitment to move Bosnia and Herzegovina forward on its European integration path and to lead the country’s efforts in the implementation of the 14 key priorities set out in the Commission’s Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU membership application.”
The full text of the press release is below.
HR/VP Josep Borrell met with the tripartite Presidency
30.09.2020.
High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell met with members of the tripartite Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Šefik Džaferović, Milorad Dodik, and Željko Komšić in Brussels on Wednesday.
He welcomed their collective commitment to move Bosnia and Herzegovina forward on its European integration path and to lead the country’s efforts in the implementation of the 14 key priorities set out in the Commission’s Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU membership application.
In this regards, the High Representative commended the recent important decisions made by Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing the holding of local elections in Mostar, the adoption of the revised National War Crime Strategy, positive steps towards a fully functioning Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and progress in aligning the country’s foreign policy with EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
In the context of the upcoming local elections and beyond, the High Representative encouraged the Presidency members to foster an environment where unity and accord can be found, by lowering political tensions and promoting reconciliation.
The High Representative encouraged the Presidency to remain committed to the implementation of the reforms which will allow the country to advance towards the EU. He also insisted on the need for the authorities to take responsibility in managing the migration situation, with the establishment of a sustainable migration and asylum system.
The High Representative welcomed the good cooperation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the importance of positive regional developments. The European Commission will come forward in October with a very substantial Economic and Investment Plan to support the Western Balkans’ long-term recovery and bring the region closer to the EU.
