Zvizdić in Brussels: We remain focused on implementing reforms

BRUSSELS, (Patria) - At the invitation of Luminița Odobescu, Romanian Ambassador to the European Union, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić attended a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the governments of the member states to the European Union (COREPER II) in Brussels today. The purpose of the meeting was to inform about the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the publication of the European Commission's Opinion on BiH's application for membership in the European Union.

During his address to the attendees, Chairman Zvizdić expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Odobescu for organizing this important meeting and said that three years after his first presentation of the situation in BiH and the implementation of a series of reforms, Bosnia and Herzegovina has received the European Commission's Opinion on its application for EU membership. He said that the significance of this document, both in procedural and substantive terms, is extremely important and represents the main guideline in planning and implementing all reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim of full membership in the EU. He also emphasized that BiH had justified aspirations regarding the content of this document.

"We expected the European Commission to recognize the level of reforms achieved in its recommendations, especially in the last four years during the mandate of this Council of Ministers of BiH, and consequently, in the Opinion, we would have a positive recommendation for obtaining candidate status. This did not happen and, although dissatisfied with this, we must look at things in the right light and use the expressed guidelines in the best possible way in the coming period. The European Commission's Opinion precisely addressed the key recommendations that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to implement in terms of meeting the Copenhagen criteria," said Chairman Zvizdić during his address.

He also informed the attending ambassadors about the process of forming government at all levels in BiH and emphasized that BiH needs to show that it has the capacity and strength to ensure full democracy in terms of implementing election results in accordance with the Constitution, valid laws, and other regulations. He informed the attendees about the progress made in all areas and the tasks completed that resulted in receiving the Opinion, and said that in the coming period, it is necessary to analyze the mentioned recommendations and make a proper assessment of priorities.

Chairman Zvizdić said that the path of EU integration is the only foreign and domestic policy goal and that the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina is unquestionable. He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment must remain focused on implementing reforms and that this is the goal that should continue to be worked on in the coming period. He expressed his expectation from the EU member states that they will take into account the results achieved so far and the activities that BiH has been diligently working on in the past period, and said that he hopes that the European Union, during this year, will send an encouraging message to the citizens and bring BiH closer to European values and standards.

In addition to representatives of the member states, the meeting was also attended by Christian Danielsson, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, a representative of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Lars Gunar Wigemark.