At 12:00 at the EU Delegation building: Leaders of parliamentary parties sign statement with Hahn

SARAJEVO, (Patria) – Leaders of all parliamentary political parties will sign a document on Thursday with the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, titled "Written Commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina: On the Path to a New Agenda for Socio-Economic Reforms", confirmed for the Patria agency the president of one of the parliamentary parties. Party presidents will sign the statement at 12:00 at the EU Delegation building.

The parliamentary parties are: SDA, SDP BiH, DF, Naša stranka, SBB, HDZ BiH, SNSD, SDS, PDP, PDA, Nezavisni blok. 

The content of the statement to be signed by the leaders of the political parties is provided below: 

"Aware that the socio-economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains very challenging, that the private sector is still too weak, that it does not provide enough opportunities, and that widespread corruption continues to affect the majority of citizens; 

Recognising that too many citizens, especially young people, are leaving the country and that decisive and bold steps need to be taken urgently; 

Committed to respecting the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 

Reiterating that membership in the European Union remains our common goal; 

Welcoming the European Commission's Strategy for the Western Balkans and the European perspective of the entire region, which was reaffirmed at the Sofia Summit held in May 2018; 

We, the undersigned, declare that we agree and irrevocably commit ourselves to: 

1. Take all necessary steps, whether in power or in opposition, regarding the recommendations from the upcoming Opinion of the European Commission, as a roadmap for preparation for membership in the European Union, including recommendations in the areas of rule of law and public administration. 

2. At the same time, the institutions of government in BiH will develop a new programme of socio-economic reforms as a continuation of the previous Reform Agenda, in agreement with the European Union and international financial institutions, in accordance with the EU acquis and the common guidelines adopted through the dialogue on economic and financial issues between the EU and BiH. The new programme will be aligned with the Economic Reform Programme, as the key framework for harmonising BiH's reform efforts with EU accession requirements. 

3. In accordance with their constitutional competences, the institutions of government in BiH will negotiate and agree on a new programme based on the four priority areas below. Specific measures and activities will be subsequently elaborated through appropriate action plans:

a) economic growth and employment through an increased level of private sector competitiveness, which will include, among other things, reducing the tax burden on labour, improving the business environment, depoliticising public enterprises, and accelerating infrastructure development; 
b) comprehensive reform of the healthcare system with the aim of improving services for citizens and enhancing financial sustainability;
c) a new and more efficient way of fighting corruption, by utilising and applying new technologies; and
d) special policies for creating business opportunities and jobs for vulnerable groups, especially young people and women. 

4. The institutions of government in BiH will ensure the implementation of all remaining measures from the previous Reform Agenda and the strengthening of the single economic space of BiH in an effort to join the EU single market. 

5. Preserve political stability, reduce ethnic tensions, refrain from harmful rhetoric, and accelerate and deepen the reconciliation process in BiH".