By: Nevena Šarenac
The High Representative of the EU for Security and Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton said in Sarajevo today that she firmly believes in the European future for the citizens of BiH, because they want and deserve it, but that she is deeply disappointed that since the last visit to BiH six months ago no progress has been made.
In a statement to journalists at the EU Delegation to BiH building, and after the discussion this morning at the BiH Presidency building, she recalled that she was in BiH six months ago with the then US State Secretary Hillary Clinton and that they sent an important message for BIH political leaders to act.
Ashton and Clinton expressed a firm commitment to BiH as a single, stable, prosperous and multiethnic country that deserves a place in the EU through its own efforts.
“We stressed that, if we really wish to have a real European future, it is necessary to go beyond political divisions, political rivalries and interests, because otherwise the country would fall behind other countries in the region”, warned Ashton today.
She warned that the issue of the implementation of the ruling at the European Court of Human Rights in the “Sejdić- Finci” case would not disappear, but rather it would gain in importance and become more relevant.
“Progress in the implementation of the judgment would enable the EU to go ahead with the Stabilization and Association Agreement, so that BiH would be able to submit a credible application for EU membership’’, noted Ashton.
She said that the EU has kept its word and provided all the necessary support, both through the EU Delegation to BiH with the Special Representative Peter Sorensen at the head and through the efforts of the European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule.
She expressed regret that BiH politicians did not translate their declared commitment to concrete actions and that instead, they focused on party and ethnic interests.
She also repeated her belief in the European future for the citizens of BiH, adding that they want and deserve it.
“People want to move forward, to see their country in which their rights are respected, and where urgent challenges such as economy, employment, and rule of law are efficiently solved’’, said Ashton.
She pointed out that the EU is a strong partner of BiH citizens and called on them to make their leaders take responsibility.
“I call on political leaders to listen to the citizens, take responsibility and act. Please do not put your country and its future in the EU at risk’’, urged the High Representative of the EU Ashton.
Catherine Ashton arrived in Sarajevo today, where she met with members of the BiH Presidency. It is planned that the High EU Representative will visit the Memorial Center in Potočari today, where she will lay a wreath in memory of the victims.
