Wigemark only presented negative aspects upon journalists' inquiry, Zvizdić regrets comparison with regional countries

The Head of the European Union Delegation to our country and EU Special Representative in BiH, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, today presented the 2015 progress report for Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Denis Zvizdić, writes the Patria News Agency.

In his address to the media, Wigemark emphasized that BiH has returned to the European path and the reform path, i.e., the implementation of socio-economic reforms that are significant for the citizens of BiH.

- This year's report comes in a slightly different format, and we no longer call it a Progress Report, but a Report for BiH, but the report format is identical for all Western Balkan countries, including Turkey. It is clear in the case of BiH that clear progress has been made on certain issues. The report covers the period from August 2014 to the end of August 2015. For this reason, events from the last two months are not reflected in the report – said Wigemark.

He added that the Report states that the Stabilization and Association Agreement has entered into force and mentions the adoption of the reform agenda.

The start of the implementation of the Reform Agenda is mentioned, including the adoption of the Labor Law in the FBiH. Furthermore, it mentions the adoption of the Strategy for Combating Corruption and its accompanying Action Plan in April of this year. The adoption of the Strategy for Justice Sector Reform and the refocusing of issues within the structural dialogue on the judiciary are welcomed. Regarding more specific sectors, I would emphasize the adoption of the transport policy, and you will also find a whole series of measures and activities proposed for the next 12 months in the report – stated Wigermark.

Wigemark only presented some of the negative assessments from the report upon journalists' inquiry.

- You are asking me about some negative things from the Report, and yes, there are some. Negative assessments and criticisms are clearly stated and perhaps of particular interest to the media, concerning the area of freedom of expression. Certain cases of attacks on the media or abuse of the media have been recorded, including inadequate action by competent agencies. There are also assessments in the area of human rights, and concern is expressed about the non-implementation of the 'Sejdić-Finci' ruling, which is an issue we expect to be resolved before BiH becomes a member. Another negative specific example is the Law on Prevention of Discrimination – stated Wigemark.

Denis Zvizdić noted that this is one of the most significant documents regarding BiH's European integration.

- It clearly defines the phases in which BiH is within all sectors related to European integration. The report is extremely positive for BiH. It gives an overall positive assessment of the reform processes in BiH. The report clearly confirms BiH's European perspective and restores the trust of our European partners. If it were done in the format of previous reports, it would be much more positive, but the new methodology compares us with the countries of the region, not with BiH itself, and the countries of the region are a few steps ahead of us and they are in the candidate status – said Zvizdić.