President of the European Parliament Martin Schultz, who is on an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, met today with members of the collegium of both houses of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly to discuss the current situation in BiH, the region and the obligations of and Herzegovina on its European path.
Chairman of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Bariša Čolak and the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Šefik Džaferović, after the meeting at a press conference said that they talked with Schultz about the sustainable socio-economic development and job creation.
They thanked for the visit of the European parliamentarian that is very important for BiH, especially at the moment when reform processes should start and when BiH needs rapid steps towards European integration.
Schultz said that the European Parliament and the European Union want a strong BiH as soon as possible in the European institutions and he rated the adoption of the IPA program as a very important step.
“The unemployment rate in Europe is great, especially for young people, and here in BiH it is as much as 60 percent,” he said and added that the common goal is to combat this negative trend.
Economic growth and development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, creation of jobs for young people, according to the president of the European Parliament are some of the top priorities.
“We must give a chance to the next generation, the youth, and this chance will not come without employment,” he stressed.
At the meeting of the President of the European Parliament with members of the collegium of both houses of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly the participants discussed the fight against terrorism as well.
“Fight against terrorism requires strong cooperation between all security structures at the global level,” said Schultz.
Commenting on the debate that is taking place today in the National Assembly of RS, in connection to the announced referendum, President of the European Parliament said that “referendums are held only in case of fundamental issues.”
If some politicians want to hold a referendum for strategic reasons alone, then, as Schultz pointed out, it can lead to fundamental problems, and use of this instrument requires the highest level of responsibility.
He added that it is very important to have cooperation between the BiH Parliament and the European Parliament, and that MEPs will provide support to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Source: Fena)
