Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Milorad Dodik and BiH Presidency Members Zeljko Komsic and Sefik Dzaferovic yesterday talked with Deputy Assistant Secretary at the United States (U.S.) Department of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Matthew Palmer, and Managing Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans, Turkey, and the United Kingdom (U.K.) at the European External Action Service, Angelina Eichhorst.
“The meeting discussed the current political and economic situation in BiH, as well as BiH’s activities on its European path. They also discussed the electoral reform needed for BiH to move towards the European Union (EU). They exchanged views on the rule of law, implementation of all judgments from the domestic and European courts related to the BiH Election Law, ” they stated.
While speaking about European integration, the members of the Presidency of BiH reiterated that they are committed to EU membership and that all levels of government should intensify activities regarding implementing reforms that will improve the quality of life of all citizens in BiH.
“Significant topics of yesterday’s meeting were illegal migration and the fight against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. BiH Presidency members thanked the U.S. and EU assistance so far and reiterated that BiH thinks that the problem of illegal migration can be solved by the unique EU approach and systematic addressing of this issue, ” it was mentioned in the announcement.
The interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to implement reforms that will be aimed at sustainable and accelerated economic growth. The importance of regional economic integration, which would have the potential for greater investment and enable the free movement of people, goods, capital, and the provision of services, was pointed out.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Palmer and Director Eichhorst reiterated the support of the U.S. and the EU in activities of BiH towards full EU membership. Also, they stressed that 2021 is an opportunity to change the Election Law and that the U.S. and the EU will be allies of our country in resolving this issue.
The meeting was also attended by the U.S. Ambassador to BiH, Eric Nelson, and the Head of the EU Delegation and the Special Representative of the EU in BiH, Ambassador Johann Sattler.
After the meeting, the BiH Presidency members addressed individually, and while speaking about the electoral reforms, they put the issue of asymmetry in the focus.
Komsic and Dzaferovic assessed that as unacceptable, while Dodik stated that the story about the asymmetry was just an alibi for the failures of Bosniaks and Croats to agree on amendments to the Election Law of BiH.
E.Dz.
