See the principles and goals of the Proclamation of Independent Mayors

The first Proclamation of seven independent mayors and city mayors was signed in Bosanski Petrovac. It was signed by the mayors of Bosanski Petrovac municipality Zlatko Hujić, Stari Grad Ibrahim Hadžibajrić, Visoko Amra Babić, Bužim Zikrija Duraković, Kalesija Sead Džafić, Goražde Muhamed Ramović, and Zenica Mayor Fuad Kasumović. Patria Agency presents the text of the Proclamation.

1.

1.1 This Proclamation establishes the principles of mutual understanding, cooperation, and support, as well as further political action of independent city mayors and mayors in Bosnia and Herzegovina elected in the local elections of 2016;

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2.1 Placing the interests of citizens, people, local communities, cantons, entities, Brčko District, and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina above all others, and promoting constitutional patriotism, integrity, and professionalism as fundamental principles of action in the period ahead;

2.2 Respecting the constitutional and legal competencies, responsibilities, and authorities of local self-government, as well as mayors and city mayors as holders of executive power at this level of administration;

2.3 Understanding, respecting, and promoting the principles and standards established by the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a full member of the Council of Europe, is obliged to implement in its domestic legislation, implementing norms, as well as political and management practices;

2.4 Aware of the importance and protection of the original competencies of local self-government and the principle of subsidiarity, which assigns public powers primarily to those levels of government closest to the citizens, while the transfer of competencies to higher levels is justified only when required by the principles of efficiency or economy;

2.5 Appreciating the trust bestowed and the significant support of voters, and understanding their unquestionable legitimacy as a responsibility towards the citizens who, by granting mandates, have transferred part of their sovereignty to the municipal government;

3.

3.1 The signatories of the Proclamation commit to acting based on the principles of legality, equality, transparency, and meritocracy, as well as the principles of responsibility, participation, inclusivity, and social sensitivity;

3.2 The signatories of the Proclamation are firmly committed to the idea of good governance devoid of particular: personal, group, or party interests to the detriment of the local or wider community, unequivocally, permanently, and daily implementing it, demanding the same from other structures of local government;

3.3 The signatories of the Proclamation will pay special attention and demonstrate to the public their commitment to a responsible approach to public goods, public money, public property, and jobs in local public administration, and will make special efforts in the effective fight against corruption, clientelism, and nepotism;

3.4 As leaders, the signatories of the Proclamation will strictly adhere to the principles of hiring, promoting, and rewarding the most capable, most ethical, and most responsible personnel, for whom party, national, family, or any other affiliation will be neither an obstacle nor a special quality;

3.5 The signatories of the Proclamation, on behalf of their own local self-government, will insist on and prove by their own example their commitment to the principles of competitiveness, meritocracy, and transparency in the execution of legally prescribed obligations, especially public procurement, business arrangements, and other contractual relationships with third parties;

3.6 The signatories of the Proclamation commit to mutual support and cooperation in all areas and tasks within their own jurisdiction and responsibility, especially in cases where mutual cooperation contributes to the development of their own local communities, and the well-being of citizens and the people;

3.7 The signatories of the Proclamation will pay special attention to defining common goals of priority importance for their own local communities and beyond;

3.8 The signatories of the Proclamation will approach the creation of a better business environment, more efficient administration, and a more efficient public sector with special care, with the aim of economic development of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina at all levels of government organization;

The signatories of the Proclamation will remain consistent with the principles of equality of all citizens and peoples, regardless of gender, age, national, religious, or other affiliation;

The signatories of the Proclamation call on all holders of legislative and executive power in Bosnia and Herzegovina, mandate holders in legislative bodies at all levels of government, holders of leadership and management functions in administrative bodies, institutions, agencies, extra-budgetary funds, and other bodies exercising public authority, individuals from the business community, civil society, diplomatic missions, and international organizations to, based on the principles of mutual understanding, respect, and partnership, voluntarily join this Proclamation and contribute to the inevitable process of strengthening the rule of law, equality before the law, depoliticization of power, and de-partification of management in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

The signatories of the Proclamation are committed to maintaining their non-partisan and independent status, jointly and decisively opposing all potential attempts at unprincipled pressure from third parties, political and administrative obstruction from higher levels of government or political parties, and unfounded accusations, fabrications, and blackmail with personal or political motives from third parties;

4.

4.1 The Proclamation was signed by independent mayors and city mayors in Bosanski Petrovac on 04.02.2017, and remains permanently open to all other mayors, city mayors, as well as other holders of public office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, individuals from the political, academic, economic, and public life of Bosnia and Herzegovina.