Representatives of the Troika issued a press release in which, in the light of recent events, they express full support for the work of the high representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, “as the fundamental institution of the Dayton Agreement and the most significant formal social authority and corrective”.
“Everyone who advocates the weakening of the OHR goes hand in hand with the plans of Putin and his satellites in power in Serbia and the RS entity. That is why it is especially surprising if such positions are advocated by EU members who are declaratively opposed to aggression against Ukraine and Putin’s regime,” the announcement states.
The Troika says that it is indicative that such information comes at a time when the “unconstitutional so-called return of jurisdiction to the entities, in which cases the OHR must react”, is announced.
“We note that thanks to the Decision of the High Representative, the most significant step forward in the democratization of the electoral process has taken place since the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although we regret that the amendments to the Electoral Law of BiH were not adopted as a result of an internal agreement, this does not diminish the importance and necessity of the amendments that came into force. OHR is part of the legal order of this country precisely as an institution that has the role of taking steps towards the establishment of a democratic society when this is impossible through the domestic institutions due to the destructive action of certain structures of the internal order. The amendments to the Election Law of BiH restored the integrity and faith in the institution of fair elections, the result of which must to be a reflection of the true will of the voters, which is the basic principle of democracy,” the Troika added.
They say that in the last year, a significant number of internal reforms have been made that have been harmonized and that represent greater progress of the state than in the past ten years of the previous government, and as recognized by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“In this regard, we invite partners at the state level to urgently adopt the state budget, as a key prerequisite for accessing the financial pool of one billion KM access funds. There are no obstacles to the adoption of the budget, and all other open issues of allocation of funds can be subject to agreement in accordance with the law and according to precisely established methodological principles”, emphasized Troika.
They believe that it is crucial for the entities to focus on mutual cooperation and support for the state on the way to the EU, which is their constitutional obligation, which, they say, implies the suspension of all anti-Dayton, separatist initiatives.
“We call on all actors of the international order, especially the EU, USA and Great Britain, traditional partners and friends of BiH to publicly articulate messages of unequivocal support for the OHR. In the current circumstances, it is crucial that they precisely identify and recognize all those who contribute to the EU path of the state, as well as those who slow down and prevent the further development of the state and destabilize opportunities in the country and the region,” the Troika stressed.
