Borrell calls for all political parties to return to state institutions to work on reforms

(Patria) - Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, responded to the letter from the President of SDA and member of the House of Peoples Collegium of the BiH PA Bakir Izetbegović, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the BiH PA Denis Zvizdić, who sent him a letter in October informing him about the current political situation, the blockade of state institutions, and the slowing down of BiH's progress towards the EU.

In his response, Borrell stated that he was responding on behalf of the European Council and the European Commission.

"The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Allow me to reiterate the EU's unequivocal commitment to the EU perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single, united, and sovereign country. The renewal of the executive mandate of Operation Althea by the United Nations Security Council in November 2021 once again confirms the EU's unwavering commitment to supporting the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in ensuring a safe and secure environment.

The EU is deeply concerned about the prolonged political crisis and the blockade of state institutions, which is unacceptable. I discussed the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs in November and will continue to monitor the situation. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs emphasized the need for all political actors to refrain from provocative rhetoric and divisive actions, to continue dialogue, and to address issues that persistently fuel tensions in the country.

All political parties should return to state institutions at full capacity and contribute to the proper functioning of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Presidency, and the Council of Ministers.

It is now urgent for Bosnia and Herzegovina to refocus on those reforms that will enable it to address the Commission's 14 key priorities for the Opinion and advance on the path towards the EU, in line with the expectations of all citizens. In this regard, I call for your full engagement in advancing the constitutional and electoral reform negotiations, which the EU also actively supports. Withdrawal from negotiations will not be an acceptable option.

Rest assured that my team in the European External Action Service and the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to engage and facilitate dialogue, both on the political crisis and on constitutional and electoral reform, in close coordination with all international partners, including the United States and the Office of the High Representative. However, resolving both issues will have to come from the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina and will require the determination to engage in compromise and political courage," Borrell stated.