Fajon addresses MPs: You must work on reforms and strengthen the rule of law

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The session of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the European path of BiH is being held without the presence of the HDZ BiH-HNS Club. MEP Tanja Fajon addressed the representatives and was greeted with applause. The Chairman of the House of Representatives of the PA BiH, Edin Mušić, expressed great gratitude for her selfless help, not only for advocating for the abolition of the visa regime but also for all the efforts she invests in her work for BiH and its path to the EU.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives of the PA BiH also informed the deputies that BiH has responded to the questions from the Questionnaire. The state representative Nikola Lovrinović (HDZ BiH) and the Chairman of the Joint Committee for European Integration of the PS BiH were supposed to address the session, but he did not attend.

Addressing the Parliament, Fajon said that by the end of the mandate, a positive step will be made regarding the abolition of visas for Kosovo. She emphasized that she hopes to hear a bit more optimism today because the EU is the only solution for BiH.

- We are witnessing nationalist rhetoric in Europe based on spreading fake news and intolerance towards migrants. On the one hand, there have been several positive things. There is more dynamism in Brussels. Today, Germany, the Netherlands, and France are somewhat slowing down the processes. Today there is a meeting of EU ministers, and it remains to be seen whether new chapters will be opened for Serbia and Montenegro. Eleven MPs sent a letter to Donald Tusk calling for concrete conclusions for the Western Balkan countries. Some countries are not ready for enlargement. The next presidency is Austria, and just today police forces have been reinforced there. People are scared.

Fajon pointed out that BiH must continue to work on reforms, but also show responsibility in the pre-election campaign.

- 67 percent of the agenda has been fulfilled, however, much remains to be done. Strengthen the rule of law and ensure the independence of the judiciary.

Fajon emphasized that a greater culture of dialogue must be achieved.

- I am sorry that the Croats are not here today. It would be good to have an open dialogue.

She said that today she will listen more to the deputies and will convey all messages to Brussels.

The Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Lars Gunnar Wigemark, also addressed the parliamentarians, stating that it is necessary to restore trust in institutions, and that the work of the Parliament must be imbued with a spirit of compromise. He also said that BiH needs additional reforms and pointed out the importance of responding to additional questions from the European Commission.

Wigemark also emphasized the importance of reforming the healthcare system and that it is important for doctors to be happy. He also called for public administration reform.