The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, stated today in Sarajevo after a meeting with members of the Presidency of BiH that membership in this organization implies a strong commitment to European values and that a commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as acceptance of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, is decisive.
“We remain committed to helping Bosnia and Herzegovina and we know that this is a challenge and finding common ground is important for everyone in Europe, both in this region and among countries that are EU members and those that will become them,” said Berset.
He emphasized that this visit must be the beginning of cooperation on the implementation of the Action Plan and support for all efforts that BiH will have to implement the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
Berset announced the launch of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina (2026–2029) with the aim of supporting democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights.
He stated that the role of the Council of Europe is to work on long-term goals “because we must be able to think in decades and have perspectives for countries, democratic institutions and populations”.
Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović stated that BiH remains committed to human rights, democracy and the rule of law, which are the fundamental values of the Council of Europe.
He thanked the latest resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which expressed support for the independence and territorial integrity of BiH and clearly pointed out the dangers posed by certain destructive forces that threaten the Dayton Peace Agreement and the constitutional order of BiH.
Bećirović emphasized that we are obliged to implement all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and that our goal is to abolish the systemic discrimination established by these judgments in order to achieve that all citizens are equal before the law.
He added that it is important to send a message to the domestic and international public that there is no longer any room in Bosnia and Herzegovina for any new dividing lines, ethnic divisions, or any ideas about divisions and a third entity.
Secretary General Berset arrived on an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in addition to meeting with members of the Presidency, he is also scheduled to meet with members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as representatives of civil society organizations, Fena news agency writes.
