At an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, newly-elected members of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s presidency wowed to jointly work for country’s membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO.
Milorad Dodik, a Serbian member of BiH Presidency, Zeljko Komsic, a Croatian member and Sefik Dzaferovic, a Bosniak member, pronounced and signed an oath at the ceremony.
They promised to respect BiH Constitution, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedom and take care of the interests and equality of all peoples and citizens.
During his speech, the rotating Chairman of BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik said the EU has to be the aim of BiH.
“In the next session, I will ask the EU to give BiH a candidate status as soon as possible,” Dodik said, adding he will advocate for military neutrality.
He added that he will do his best for relations with the EU, China, the U.S. and Russia.
Croatian member of BiH Presidency Zeljko Komsic said: “The top of my priorities will be insisting on the rule of law, affirmation of constitution, legality and justice, affirmation of democracy.”
He highlighted that the future of BiH is in the NATO alliance and in the European Union, which are the guarantee of security and prosperity of BiH and its citizens.
For his part, Bosniak member Sefik Dzaferovic said that it is needed for several parallel processes to be led in the country, namely reintegration of BiH and membership in the EU and NATO alliance.
All have to be backed up with accelerated economic and social reforms. “Fulfilling of conditions for the EU membership has to be a priority,” Dzaferovic said.
According to BiH law, Dodik will be the Chairman of BiH Presidency in the next 8 months, after which the other two will continue for additional 8 months on a basis of rotation respectively, and a mandate for all three members is four years, Xinhua reports.