France welcomed the unanimous adoption of United Nations (UN)Security Council Resolution 2795, which renews the mandate of the EUFOR-Althea operation for a period of 12 months, and expressed support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
The French representative at the UN Security Council, in his address, emphasized the importance of the presence of Zeljko Komsic, the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, during the session.
“Through this operation, since 2004, the European Union (EU) has played a key role in preserving peace, stability, and security in BiHand the region, in accordance with the decisions of the Security Council and the Dayton Peace Agreement,” the statement said.
France, as a witness to the Dayton Agreement, reiterated that it will continue to provide support for the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of BiH.
In the address, the recent move by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (NARS) on October 18th, which abolished six secessionist laws and elected an interim president of the entity until the early presidential elections scheduled for November 23rd, was particularly welcomed.
“This is an important step forward. Efforts to restore constitutional order must continue, and elections should be held under stable conditions,” the French representative said yesterday.
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Paris, the French representative emphasized that peace in BiH has been preserved, but that the situation remains fragile.
“Thirty years after Dayton, the citizens of BiH aspire to a European future, and France and the member states of the EU wish to accompany them on that path. It is a shared vision for the entire region that can bring stability and prosperity,” the message stated.
France emphasized that it sees the future of BiH and the entire Western Balkans within the EU.
That position, as stated, was reiterated by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who on October 29th in Paris received the members of the Presidency of BiH, with the participation of the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.
France called on the authorities in BiH to continue with reforms, including fulfilling the eight conditions related to candidate status and the 14 key priorities.
“We welcome the adoption of the Reform Agenda by the Council of Ministers of BiH, which will enable the country to benefit from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. The swift appointment of the head of the negotiation team, as well as the adoption of the laws on courts and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, will demonstrate BiH’s readiness to move forward toward membership in the EU,” concluded the French representative.
