Relations with the European Union (EU) are essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina as evidenced by the fact that 72 percent of BiH exports last year were to the EU, said Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU Special Representative to BiH, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark at his first press conference in Sarajevo.
Wigemark started his public engagement in BiH after submitting his credentials to the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Mladen Ivanić.
He said that if BiH citizens are to benefit from the EU membership, real progress in terms of economic reform has to be made.
When this will actually happen depends on the institutions and authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their speed and efficiency in the implementation of these reforms.
However, he recalled that BiH for years has been struggling with social and economic reforms and has not achieved the conditions for a credible application for the EU membership.
“Experience has shown that these reforms have improved the quality of life of citizens by directing the countries closer to EU membership,” reminded Wigemark.
He stressed the clear advantages that BiH would have with membership in the EU – more jobs, greater connectivity with the rest of Europe and more help in the introduction of European standards on the issue of food safety, health and transport.
“This is the reason why other countries in the region are moving towards the EU,” said Wigemark and added that BiH wants to become a part of the European family it is necessary to urgently implement specific steps in the partnership between the EU and BiH.
The first step is to implement the conclusions of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs from December last year and to begin with consultations with the EU and international financial institutions to develop a plan for reforms.
Asked whether he has the information when the BiH authorities could submit a plan of reforms that they have committed to in the joint statement of BiH towards the EU, he said that there is no doubt that they are all aware of the need for these reforms.
“Recently, we have witnessed the positive statements of political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of the need for economic reforms,” said Wigemark, adding that he discussed this today with Chairman Ivanić.
He stressed that it was proposed to hold a meeting, together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other international financial institutions, and discuss the reforms with representatives of the newly appointed governments in BiH, and he announced that the meeting could happen in early May.
He said that they are here to help BiH, but that all decisions are in the hands of BiH political leaders and that no one can do the job but the country itself.
(Source: Fena)
