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

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

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

"Now we are focused on 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 to hope that institutions are now ready to face the challenges ahead.

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

These observations lead me to be optimistic about BiH's progress towards EU membership. Much more needs to be done and that 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," Schmidt said.

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 underscored support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH.

“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 obligation.

Germany maintains very close economic, cultural and people-to-people relations with BiH. In all these talks, the discussion will be about how the Western Balkans can join the EU faster and better. It is about sustainable EU perspectives precisely at a time of friction and discord, investment in peace and prosperity of Europe.

The accession process is and will remain based on merit. This means that Western Balkan countries must implement difficult reforms, there are no shortcuts.

For BiH, this means that the conditions established in October 2022 must be fulfilled before progress towards enlargement, this concerns the rule of law and human rights.

I want to emphasize that countries like Germany can open the path to the EU, and EU institutions can do the same, but ultimately it is up to the determination of institutions and politicians in BiH to demonstrate this in practice. That is why the institutions of this country, 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 implementing the civilian part of the Dayton Agreement and that 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 that path," he concluded.