Minister Wadephul: Support for the OHR, peace and stability in the heart of Europe are and will remain our commitment, BiH must implement reforms

(Patria) - High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt today hosted German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and they addressed the public together at the OHR premises.

Schmidt said he wants to welcome the minister to a country that has survived so many catastrophic experiences for all of humanity.

"Now we are looking to the future. This is a very important visit at a crucial moment. After difficult months, very difficult months, there is now reason for greater optimism. There is reason for hope that the institutions are now ready to face the challenges ahead.

Minister, looking back at the past months, the institutions have shown resilience in facing serious constitutional challenges. I commend the international community this year, 30 years after the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the suffering caused by the war.

These observations lead me to be optimistic about BiH's progress towards EU membership. Much remains to be done, and it remains in the hands of domestic institutions and the domestic political class, and in the hands of the people and voters. The international community is ready to provide assistance where needed. I am committed to adhering to my mandate," said Schmidt.

He said that Minister Wadephul's visit is an important signal that BiH is not alone and thanked Germany for its support to the OHR.

Minister Wadephul said that he began his visit to the Western Balkan countries precisely from Sarajevo. He emphasized the support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH.

“The protection of the fundamental principles of the Dayton Peace Agreement is of key importance; peace and stability in the heart of Europe are and will remain our commitment.

Germany maintains very close economic, cultural, and interpersonal relations with BiH. In all these discussions, the topic will be how the Western Balkans can join the EU faster and better. It is about sustainable EU perspectives, precisely in times of friction and disputes, investments in peace and prosperity in Europe.

The accession process is and will remain performance-based. This means that the Western Balkan countries must implement difficult reforms; there are no shortcuts.

For BiH, this means that the conditions set in October 2022 must be met before progress towards enlargement, which relates to the rule of law and human rights.

I want to emphasize that countries like Germany can pave the way to the EU, but so can the EU institutions, but in the end, it is up to the determination of the institutions and politicians in BiH to demonstrate this in practice. That is why the institutions of this country, which were established in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Constitution of BiH, enjoy our full confidence," said the German minister.

He added that the High Representative is responsible for the implementation of the civilian part of the Dayton Agreement, and this is extremely important.

"The German federal government advocates for BiH's accession to the EU, and together we want to continue our efforts and support it on this path," he concluded.