OSCE, OHR and US and UK Embassies on Mostar: Repeat the vote and urgently elect a mayor

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The OSCE Mission to BiH, the Delegation of the European Union and the Special Representative of the European Union to BiH, the Embassy of the United Kingdom, the Embassy of the United States of America and the Office of the High Representative issued a joint statement regarding the Mostar City Council.

"The newly elected Mostar City Council adopted a decision on February 5 to elect the Mayor of Mostar by public vote. This decision is contrary to Article 36 of the Statute of the City of Mostar, which stipulates that elections in the City Council must be conducted by secret ballot. We, the undersigned, call on the City Council to return the voting process to a position consistent with the Statute of the City of Mostar and to repeat the first round of voting for the Mayor of Mostar.

A country aspiring to membership in the European Union must adhere to the principles of the rule of law. We call on all city councilors to demonstrate responsibility and urgently elect a mayor at the next session, with full respect for the principles of the rule of law and the Statute of the City of Mostar," the joint statement reads.