President of HDZ BiH Dragan Čović announced that new intense negotiations on government formation at the federal and state level will begin on November 23rd, emphasizing that his party’s goal is to form the new convocation of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible.
Following today’s session of the Presidency of HDZ BiH, Čović spoke about the upcoming political negotiations, possibilities of establishing the parliamentary majority, and obligations that Bosnia and Herzegovina must meet to accelerate the European integration process.
According to him, HDZ BiH is trying to create political prerequisites for forming the executive branch, while expecting that the indirect election of delegates to the houses of peoples will be completed.
Čović stated that representatives of his party have already held talks with political representatives of all three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as with international partners, aiming to find solutions that would enable the establishment of new government institutions.
The FBiH Government and the Council of Ministers of BiH should be formed in the Same period.
Speaking about deadlines, the president of HZD BiH announced that the new federal government should be accompanied by the Council of Ministers of BiH. We want the FBiH budget in December, as well as the BiH budget. The wish would be, as is the legal deadline for the FBiH Government, for the BiH Council of Ministers to be in the package,” Čović stated.
He announced that talks on government formation will be intensified as of November 23, when more concrete alignment of political stances and possible partnership is expected.
But he emphasized that HDZ BiH has yet to start the negotiations on distribution of ministerial positions. As he explained, on behalf of HDZ BiH, there has been no discussion so far regarding specific portfolios in either the future Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Council of Ministers of BiH.
Warning About BiH Lagging on the European Path
A significant part of his address was dedicated to European integration, assessing that Bosnia and Herzegovina must show greater political determination and accelerate the fulfillment of obligations expected of it. He expressed the expectation that cooperation with political partners from Croatia could contribute to a new momentum in the process of bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina closer to the European Union.
He specifically referred to Montenegro’s progress, stating that its European path should serve as an additional incentive to domestic political actors. “I am sure that by the end of the year Montenegro will fulfill all conditions for the EU; everyone says that by the end of the sixth month it will have full membership, so the question arises: where are we,” Čović said.
According to his assessment, Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses the political and institutional capacities to independently initiate necessary reforms. He believes there is a possibility of adopting two important laws from the European agenda in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would make an additional step forward toward the European Union.
“We do not expect someone else to do that for us. I think there are enough of us that we can lead that process,” said the president of HDZ BiH.
On Political Changes in Serbia
Čović also touched upon political changes in Serbia and their potential impact on relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He assessed that the change of government in the neighboring country should not have a particularly pronounced impact on internal political processes in BiH, stating that he does not expect significant external interference in that regard.
In continuation, he reiterated that HDZ BiH will strive to contribute to the fastest possible establishment of government, expecting that upcoming negotiations will enable reaching an agreement on new executive structures.
As key priorities, he singled out the formation of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Ministers of BiH, the adoption of budgets by the end of the year, and the acceleration of legislative activities necessary for the continuation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path.
