The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Zeljko Komsic, received in an inaugural visit Richard Holtzapple, the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission in BiH, who on that occasion pointed out the priorities he will focus on during his mandate, which largely relate to strengthening the functionality of state institutions and the efficiency of the decision-making system within those institutions.
Holtzapple emphasized that it is not good, while fully respecting the internal structure of BiH, to occasionally use its fragments or parts to obstruct the smooth process of passing laws and other decisions in state institutions, the Presidency of BiH stated.
Chairman Komsic pointed out the dilemma present in the domestic public regarding whether the Dayton Peace Agreement is a permanent category or whether, as often comes in messages from the international community, it can be supplemented with international, and especially European, standards.
He particularly emphasized that, for the sake of reform processes, BiH should be able to make the transition from the Dayton phase to the Brussels phase, accepting and implementing all necessary European standards concerning democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.
It was jointly assessed that the judicial system must be independent and free from all forms of political influence, so that ultimately, in all judicial, prosecutorial, and court functions, people with integrity are appointed, capable of resisting any political influence.
It was concluded that the priority is providing the necessary support to the Central Election Commission (CEC) in all required activities, with the goal that the next General Elections are conducted using new technologies.
This would prevent electoral theft and fraud, which BiH has faced in the previous period, and the election results would be a true expression of the voters’ will and votes, rather than the wishes and intentions of political elites, the statement said.
