US is grateful for BiH's support in the fight against ISIL

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA for Europe and Asia Hoyt Yee also attended the two-day session of the Peace Implementation Council held in Sarajevo.

In an interview he gave to news agencies, including the BiH news agency Patria, Hoyt, who has been visiting BiH for 22 years, spoke about the recently concluded PIC session, drew parallels between his visits in February and September of this year and this one, and about the importance of BiH's participation in the coalition of countries fighting ISIL.

NUMEROUS MEETINGS 

- It is always a pleasure to come to Sarajevo, to BiH. I am here now for the PIC session. I had the opportunity and privilege to meet with the members of the Presidency of BiH, with other BiH political leaders, and colleagues from Europe who are on the Steering Board of the PIC. Regarding the overall impression, I am very pleased that after the elections held in October, a lot of energy is directed towards BiH moving forward towards Europe, as the place it belongs to. 

I am very pleased that there is a new focus when it comes to Europe. You know about the initiative of Great Britain and Germany, which the Council of Europe will adopt. This is a renewed interest in helping BiH get closer to the EU. It is very important that all of us from the international community support this initiative, to ensure that there is a focus on significant reforms, primarily socio-economic ones, which we hope will lead to political reforms that will help the institutions of this country become more functional. 

Compared to my previous two visits, I can say that in September, Mr. Hill and I visited areas affected by floods and saw the terrible conditions in which people were living. This reminded me and my colleagues once again that we from the international community, together with BiH leaders and civil society, should move towards adopting reforms that will strengthen the country's capacities, provide services to small and medium-sized enterprises, and help people who lack resources and safe shelter.

I was here in February, and I think it is good now to see that there are people elected in the elections, who will likely participate in the new government, and who are already telling us that they are committed and ready to fulfill what the citizens demanded in the February protests - strengthening the economy, reforms, new jobs, fighting corruption, and a government that will respond to the needs of citizens, not political parties and politicians. 

I now feel constructive political energy from the leaders. We also see a greater commitment from the international community in providing assistance to BiH.

It is very important, as also seen from the communiqué adopted by the Steering Board at the end of today's session, that the firm commitment to help BiH become a more democratic, stable, and prosperous country with stronger institutions has been confirmed, and that we have once again confirmed our interest in BiH continuing its European and Euro-Atlantic path. We also confirmed our support for the Office of the High Representative, said Hoyt, summarizing the two-day PIC session. 

When asked about the reason for his visit to BiH, Yee replied that it was the PIC Steering Board session, and meetings with BiH and European leaders and leaders of other countries.

- All of this helps me to get an impression of what is happening in the country. I have been coming to BiH since 1993, and each time I learn something new, and then I inform my colleagues in Washington about what is new happening in BiH, emphasized Hoyt Yee.

When it comes to priorities in resolving the numerous problems facing the BiH authorities, he said that he believes that the new authorities in BiH should focus on what the citizens elected them for.

- I think that all of us in the international community care about fulfilling what the citizens who participated in the protests and plenums in February demanded. A stronger economy, secure jobs, effective fight against corruption. Citizens are looking for a future for their children in this country, for their children to work and travel. We believe that any new government will need time to establish its priorities, but we do not think it should take much time to see what citizens want. The international community is here to help the new authorities achieve these goals. It is not an easy job, it will require resources, political support from both within and outside. We are pleased that there is greater interest from Europeans to help BiH get closer to the EU. I have heard that these are the first priorities of the elected leaders to help BiH move from a standstill and join Euro-Atlantic institutions at an accelerated pace, emphasized Hoyt Yee.

The high-ranking US official also commented on Russia's "no" in the UN Security Council when voting to extend the EUFOR Mission in BiH.

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE

- The US welcomes the constructive engagement of all countries willing to help BiH achieve its goals. Russia has played a constructive role and I think it will continue to do so. It is important for us, regarding that vote, that the Resolution was adopted. We must understand that BiH still needs both political and economic assistance from the international community, and to a lesser extent military support, which ensures that the country achieves its goals more easily. The international community truly wants to support BiH and considers it its obligation. We are here to help BiH and will continue to work. What is important is that the international community speaks with one voice and that we are fully committed to supporting BiH on its path to the EU. Even if there are disagreements among us, we find a way to move forward. 

Given that he witnessed the consequences of the catastrophic floods that hit BiH in September, Hoyt was also asked if he was satisfied with the reconstruction of infrastructure.

- The most important question is whether the citizens of BiH are satisfied. What I see is that there are still citizens who need basic accommodation to continue with their normal lives. I know that the leaders I have spoken with in recent days are also not satisfied with the situation where many people still need help. There are things in which we also need to continue to help. As for the US and other donors, significant assistance has been provided. But we want to see this assistance provided faster, as winter is coming and it is getting even worse. We encourage our partners in government to speed up the process of helping those affected. In addition, work must be done on preparing to face such situations. No country is spared from natural disasters, and we must all find a way to be better prepared next time if it happens, explained Yee.

BiH is a member of the coalition of countries fighting ISIL. The BiH Ministry of Defense has also donated surplus weapons. What is the next step expected from BiH?

- We are very grateful for the support that BiH has provided in the fight against ISIL. It is very important that all countries in Europe and the world participate in this coalition. Obviously, some countries could provide more, some less assistance. We are pleased that BiH has recognized the help it can provide. We are in constant dialogue with our partners in BiH about what else and what more can be done. The dialogue will continue. We are pleased that BiH supports the coalition and is part of this fight, and that it is working in the interest of the citizens of the region. Because this is a threat that exists throughout Europe. This threat is particularly pronounced in the Balkans, where there is a high number of fighters in foreign battlefields per capita. ISIL must be fought, and only through a coalition will this fight be effective, emphasized the American official. 

THE VISIT OF MOGHERINI AND HAHN IS A POSITIVE SIGNAL

Hoyt Yee sees the visit of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn to BiH last week as strengthening the direct assistance provided by the EU to help BiH achieve its common goal, which is European integration.

- The goal of the EU and the goal of BiH citizens is to move closer to EU membership. The EU has provided support before, but the German-British initiative is a sign of renewed focus on this country. It is very positive that Mogherini and Hahn came to BiH together. It seems to me that this has not happened before, at least not for a long time. This shows that the members of the Commission are aware that all countries have a responsibility to encourage elected leaders and citizens to work on implementing the necessary reforms. There is a commitment from the leaders I have spoken with to implement the necessary reforms. What is important is to identify reform priorities as soon as possible, and to work together on their implementation as soon as possible, he emphasized.

HILL DID AN EXCELLENT JOB

Regarding the arrival of the new US Ambassador to BiH Maureen Elizabeth Cormack, and what will be the priorities and focus of her mission, Hoyt Yee said:

- First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Chargé d'Affaires Nicholas Hill, who did an excellent job. We are very pleased that the new ambassador is coming here in mid-January. What I can say is that the US policy towards BiH will remain the same. There will always be some differences in style and focus, but our basic policy is to provide assistance to BiH to become part of Euro-Atlantic institutions, to help strengthen the economy, and strengthen BiH institutions. For over 20 years, we have been committed to helping achieve what we believe the citizens of BiH want - a better, more prosperous, and democratic future, without concerns about security or corruption. A future in which citizens will see their children wanting to stay in BiH, to progress here, rather than wanting to go abroad. There is enormous potential here. We want to help citizens and leaders achieve this goal. I am sure that the ambassador will work on this successfully, emphasized Yee.