Washington concerned about electoral reform, talks with political leaders continue

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Consultations on amendments to the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina between representatives of the Venice Commission and leaders of five political parties were held this morning in Sarajevo.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the USA Matthew Palmer, Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey at EEAS Angeline Eichhorst, US Ambassador to BiH Maureen Cormack, and EU Special Representative and Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark.

As emphasized, although there is still no solution, the meetings will continue in the coming days.

- We really want to see these issues resolved, we want to see BiH on its EU path, firmly established, there is a lot of work and tasks ahead of you for the reforms that need to be implemented. Colleagues from Brussels have repeated this several times. This is a good time for this part of the Western Balkans because the EU needs new friends. We believe that we can reach a solution - said Eichhorst.

The American Ambassador stated that they will continue to participate in this consultation process.

- We will continue to call for meetings to continue, urgently in the coming weeks, in order to find the right solution. Whatever solution is found for the implementation of the Constitutional Court's decision in the Ljubić case must be domestic (without imposing solutions by the international community, op.a.) - said Cormack.

Ambassador Wigemark emphasized that today's continuation of the meeting with political leaders had a more concrete approach.

- Today we continued with a more concrete approach that will enable the implementation of election results, how to implement the Constitutional Court's decision in the Ljubić case, that is what political leaders should focus on. There is still a lot of work left. It is important that there is no stagnation, there is no more time for institutions, that is something that is important in the context of the rule of law - said Wigemark.

When asked whether the discussion was exclusively about the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament or also about the election of members of the BiH Presidency, Wigemark did not want to go into details.

- The focus is now on the appointment of delegates through indirect elections to the House of Peoples. And the essence of Božo Ljubić's appeal is in that, although political parties have different views on the Constitutional Court's decision - said Wigemark.

Palmer stated that Washington is concerned about electoral reform and that because of this, elections could be unsuccessful.

- That is why I am here, I have come before and spoken with leaders. We remain in a joint partnership with our friends from the EU and domestic politicians. This has been our priority and we remain on this path.

He emphasized that these are complex issues, not only politically but also technically.

- At this moment, we do not want to go into any details of further steps. We are ensuring that these discussions are held in a positive atmosphere, we agree that after the elections, authorities will be formed and that election results will be implemented - said Palmer.