BiH Presidency members return from Brussels: EU has same goal, views on NATO differ

(Patria) - Chairman of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik and BiH Presidency members Željko Komšić and Šefik Džaferović held a working breakfast in Brussels today with the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn.

Dodik said after the meeting with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, that the EU does not condition BiH's accession on NATO membership. Dodik also stated that the formation of government was discussed, adding that it is impossible to ensure any new dynamics without forming the government. He emphasized that the BiH Presidency members also spoke about different views regarding NATO integration.

"We need to discuss this issue in BiH. As I understood, BiH's path to the EU is not conditioned by the MAP or NATO issue," Dodik said.

When asked if anyone at the meeting mentioned the constitutionality of peoples, Dodik said that Europe's philosophy is focused on individual rights, but that this is probably impossible in BiH.

"I think everyone understands this. They understand that we have a complex structure. Electoral law reform is necessary, and the EU's stance on this is also clear," Dodik said.

He said that the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, also attended the meeting and that the BiH Presidency members are returning with the stance that it is necessary to complete the answers to the European Commission's Questionnaire and achieve candidate status.

BiH Presidency member Željko Komšić said he has the impression that there is good will in the EU for BiH to achieve candidate status, but that it is necessary to answer the Questionnaire, form a government at the state level, and amend the electoral legislation.

BiH Presidency member Šefik Džaferović said that there is a strong commitment from the EU for BiH's accelerated path to the EU. According to him, he spoke today about the MAP and the formation of government.

"Regional policy and resolving open issues with neighbors are also significant for me. We should practice applying international law if we do not have an agreement. I prefer this when it comes to the border with Croatia and Serbia, but also when it comes to the construction of the Pelješac Bridge," Džaferović said.