Cormack held a meeting with Čović: An efficient and independent judiciary is needed in BiH

Chairman of the BiH Presidency Dragan Čović held a meeting with US Ambassador Maureen Cormack, during which the Ambassador congratulated him on the announcement of the date for submitting the application for EU membership, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

Čović informed Ambassador Cormack about the progress and next steps of BiH on the path to EU membership. The Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the progress BiH has made on this path, and confidence that good work will continue in the period ahead.

The interlocutors agreed that the next major step towards BiH's Euro-Atlantic integration is the activation of the Membership Action Plan (MAP), which entails progress in resolving the issue of non-perspective military assets. Ambassador Cormack expressed the full support of the USA for these processes.

The Ambassador welcomed the political dialogue regarding the implementation of the Sejdić-Finci ruling, and especially the decision of the Constitutional Court for the City of Mostar and the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The importance of the transparency of the electoral process was highlighted as a key factor in the democratization of society.

The interlocutors expressed support for proposals and activities aimed at expanding the structural dialogue to make it as purposeful as possible. The crucial importance of the judicial system for the rule of law, and consequently for investments that drive economic development, was emphasized. The common assessment is that additional efforts are necessary to build a rational, efficient, and independent judiciary in BiH.