Sattler: Reduce the presence of the international community in BiH

BANJA LUKA, (Patria) - Johann Sattler, Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated in Banja Luka that Bosnia and Herzegovina should strive to reduce the presence of the international community, as the current scope of presence is incompatible with membership in the European Union.

“We have seen Germany’s candidate proposal, which is a positive signal. We welcome the indication of strong engagement from Germany, as the strongest country in the European Union. In the medium and long term – this scope of presence of the international community in BiH is incompatible with EU membership. We are in phases where we should strive for a gradual reduction of such presence,” Sattler stated.

He said that in recent years, there has been increasingly strong support from citizens for the EU integration process, and that the current support rate is 80 percent.

“The percentage is lower in Republika Srpska, but it is much better compared to the region. Statistics indicate that the EU is your most loyal partner, and this was also evident during the pandemic,” Sattler said.

Furthermore, Sattler emphasized that 2020 showed that progress is possible, and that some issues have been resolved, such as the elections in Mostar. This year, 2021, in his opinion, is a year of opportunities.

“We are noticing a more significant focus on BiH from the EU level and across the Atlantic. We need to seize the opportunities that a non-election year brings. There are 14 priorities of the European Commission that underline everything that needs to be done, what reforms to implement. There are difficult issues – but from our side, we expect stronger engagement from parties and elected officials,” Sattler concluded in his address.

Sattler attended the 11th meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for European Integration of BiH, held in the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska entity, hosted today by the Committee for European Integration and Regional Cooperation of the National Assembly of RS.

In addition to Sattler, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Directorate for European Integration of BiH, members of the committees and commissions for European integration of the National Assembly of RS, the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament, the Parliament of Brčko District, and representatives of cantonal assemblies.