Schmidt: Reforms in BiH need to be accelerated

(Patria) - High Representative Christian Schmidt participated in the GLOBSEC Forum in Prague, where the path to European security and the future, with a focus on the Western Balkans, was discussed in detail. He emphasized that the main priority of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkan region is support for strengthening stability and a peaceful environment, which are essential for successful reforms and EU integration.

Progress on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration requires proactive commitment from political leaders and civil society in BiH.

Highlighting the fundamental importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrating genuine effort and increased engagement on the path to integration, while fully respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement, the High Representative spoke in Prague with the President of Finland Alexander Stubb, the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, the Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans Alexander Kasanof, the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajčák, the BiH Ambassador to the Czech Republic Martina Mlinarević, the President of GLOBSEC Róbert Vass, and the Chairman of the GLOBSEC Board of Directors Wilhelm Molterer.

The High Representative spoke at the panel discussion “Ready or Not: The Truth About the EU’s Readiness for Enlargement,” alongside Miroslav Lajčák and the State Secretary at the German Federal Foreign Office Thomas Bagger. He discussed the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and insisted that political actors in BiH must immediately accelerate the pace, overcome the political stalemate, and make the most of the opportunities offered by EU integration for the benefit of all citizens of BiH.

Commenting on how the EU can adapt its integration models to facilitate enlargement, the High Representative stressed the need for a cohesive approach aligned with the needs and expectations of current and future member states. “However, this will not yield the desired results in a reasonable timeframe unless
the authorities in BiH accelerate the pace and begin to fulfill their obligations to citizens and international partners,” the High Representative concluded.

At the invitation of the BiH Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Ms. Mlinarević, the High Representative also met with a group of the BiH diaspora to exchange views on the current situation in the country. He also visited children and mothers from SOS villages from the Western Balkan countries who are currently on holiday in the Czech Republic in Prague.