Guidelines that say a lot, but also worry: No NATO, constitutionality highlighted, Ljubić verdict still alive!

(Patria) - Leaders of SNSD, HDZ BiH, and SDP, Milorad Dodik, Dragan Čović, and Nermin Nikšić, signed guidelines, principles, and goals in executive and legislative power at the BiH level for the period 2022-2026 in Sarajevo today.

Several facts are worrying upon the first reading of these Guidelines:

- The leaders of the "eight" coalition, HDZ, and SNSD have agreed to undertake legislative, reform, and other necessary activities, taking into account the "constitutionality of the peoples and constitutional decision-making mechanisms and their protection".

- NATO integration is not mentioned in the agreement between the "eight" coalition, HDZ, and SNSD. The agreement only envisages EU integration, so Nikšić was 'confused' when speaking about Euro-Atlantic integration, but quickly corrected himself.

- The "eight" coalition, SNSD, and HDZ have also agreed to change the BiH Constitution and the BiH Election Law within 6 months. This part mentions a decision of the Constitutional Court of BiH, but no such decision exists regarding the election of the BiH Presidency members, so it is assumed that the Ljubić verdict is meant, even though Christian Schmidt himself stated that it was implemented by his impositions on October 2nd.

We are publishing the full Agreement below

Respecting the structure and constitutional competencies of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as stipulated by the General Framework Agreement for Peace (Dayton Agreement) and the BiH Constitution as Annex IV of that agreement, respecting the constitutional competencies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska, Brčko District of BiH, cantons, cities, and municipalities,

Expressing the importance and commitment to establishing a functional and efficient government structure at the BiH level as soon as possible, as a common interest of the three constituent peoples and citizens of BiH, both in Republika Srpska and in the Federation of BiH and Brčko District of BiH,

Proceeding from the principles of constitutionality, legality, transparency, and mutual respect as a way of joint action,

Focusing on policies that offer adequate responses to the problems and needs of the constituent peoples and all other citizens,

Ready to work together to de-escalate inter-ethnic and inter-entity relations, with the aim of creating a political and social environment of tolerance and cooperation,

Committed to combating hate speech in the public sphere,

Expressing the necessity of creating a constructive environment of cooperation in order to improve the socio-political and socio-economic environment, while encouraging and raising the level of domestic and foreign investments in BiH,

Supporting the constitutional obligation to achieve full equality of the three constituent peoples and all other citizens of BiH,

Committing to strengthening the rule of law and legal certainty in accordance with European legal standards,

Expressing a joint commitment to the soonest possible accession and full membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union, as well as the continuation of cooperation at the regional level and with multilateral organizations in the field of security.

We, the undersigned presidents of political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopt the following:

GUIDELINES, PRINCIPLES AND GOALS IN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE POWER AT THE BiH LEVEL FOR THE PERIOD 2022 – 2026

1. EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS

a) The signatories of this agreement express their commitment to the full membership of BiH in the European Union, and to this end, will undertake legislative, reform, and other necessary activities to fulfill the conditions for accession, respecting the constitutional structure and competencies of BiH, the entities, as well as the constitutionality of the peoples and constitutional decision-making mechanisms and their protection.

b) The signatories of this agreement will actively work on capacitating the competent institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina for greater access to EU funds and other international funds.

c) During the implementation of these activities, the signatories will cooperate closely with the European Union, as well as with each other, in good faith, seek and strive for compromises in overcoming all contentious political issues.

2. SWIFT ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET

a) Immediately after the establishment of the Council of Ministers, all necessary actions will be taken to adopt the Budget for 2023 as soon as possible.

b) The principle of swift budget adoption will be the general principle of government functioning during the period covered by this agreement.

c) The signatories of this agreement are committed to adequate financing and capacitating of BiH institutions.

3. MEASURES AND ACTIVITIES FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF MECHANISMS FOR RAPID PASSAGE AND APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT PROJECTS

a) The partners in this agreement commit to creating a new program of economic reforms for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and are committed to the rapid passage and approval of investment projects at all levels of government, for which ratification, approval, or some other type of activity by Bosnia and Herzegovina institutions is required in accordance with constitutional competencies, with the aim of rapidly removing all administrative barriers for the realization of such projects. In order to raise the level of investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the politicization of investment project issues will be avoided.

b) The signatories of this agreement agree to implement economic measures to mitigate the consequences of the economic crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and ensure support for the economy.

d) The parties to this agreement commit to transparent information about investments.

e) The signatories of this agreement encourage and give strong support to joint investment projects of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH, Brčko District of BiH, and cantons.

g) The signatories are committed to protecting domestic producers and exporters through the efficient work of competent institutions, including facilitating border procedures and infrastructural capacitating.

h) The signatories support the efforts of institutions to ensure that diplomas obtained from accredited universities in BiH continue to be equivalent at the EU academic level, and in the EU labor market.

4. ELECTION LEGISLATION AND DEMOCRATIZATION OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

The signatories of this agreement are committed to:

a) urgently implement, and no later than six (6) months from the establishment of government at all levels, limited changes to the BiH Constitution and adopt amendments to the BiH Election Law in accordance with the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. This measure includes reforms that will protect collective rights and individual rights in accordance with the BiH Constitution and the decision of the BiH Constitutional Court, and in accordance with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Houses of Peoples).

b) Establishing full constitutionality and integrity of the electoral process.

5. JUDICIAL REFORM

The signatories of this agreement are committed to carrying out a comprehensive reform of the judiciary, guided by the constitutional competencies of BiH, the entities, and the cantons, the recommendations of the European Commission, European standards, past experiences, and good European practices, firmly committed to an effective fight against organized crime and corruption.

6. REFORM OF THE SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM

The signatories of this agreement are committed to carrying out a reform of the security and intelligence system with the aim of its complete depoliticization and professionalization, in order to completely prevent the abuse of that system for political or other purposes.

(A.Č.Z)