The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between BiH and the European Union, which now officially entered into force, will be realized over the next six years and that means that the relations between BiH and the EU will raise to a meaningful and quality level as the obligations arising from political dialogue and regional co-operation will become part of the contractual relationship.
This was said at a press conference in Sarajevo by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić noting that the political dialogue between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be realized through the work of several new bodies.
“First we will establish a Council for Stabilization and Association, which will be composed of representatives of the EU, the European Commission and Council of Ministers. The Council will examine any major issues arising within the framework of implementation of the Agreement, as well as other international and bilateral issues,” said Zvizdić.
At parliamentary level, political dialogue shall take place within the framework of the Parliamentary Committee for Stabilization and Association.
Based on the work of these bodies, all levels of government will be represented in the future process, which is attached to the Agreement.
The period of implementation of the Agreement means the implementation of key reforms in the areas of the economy, the rule of law and good governance, as well as issues of functionality, including effective coordination mechanism on EU integration matters.
“At the Council of Ministers tomorrow will form a Coordination Team, which will be at the Directorate for European Integration and it will have 30 days to develop a coordination mechanism that would be acceptable and in line with the acquis and the laws of all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Zvizdić.
In order to comply with the six years for the implementation of the Agreement, a detailed activities plan will be set.
“Within two years we will have to conclude the necessary agreements on regional cooperation with all countries that are signatories of the SAA. This means an increased volume of economic and regional cooperation,” said Zvizdić.
The most demanding reform laws will have to be, he says, implemented in a period of 12 months and the others will take three, six and nine months.
“The forthcoming reforms will be painful and difficult as changing current patterns of behavior. These are reforms that we will prepare in the Council of Ministers, and they mean a long-term improvement,” underlined Zvizdić.
He says that the Agreement provides that businesspeople will have greater benefitsregarding EU funds, which will increase the competitiveness of products in order to “fight competently with the EU market”, and at the same time we will create more favorable business conditions in BiH.
Stating that the coming into force of the Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina shows the absolute commitment of the EU, Zvizdić predicts that our country could at the end of this year or early next year submit an application for EU membership.
Zvizdić announced that the economic reform agenda is in its final stages, and it is drafted with representatives of entities, Brčko District, the international financial institutions, led by the European Commission.
“We will sign this agenda in about 10 days with EU Special Representative to BiH Lars-Gunnar Wigemarkom in front of three governments sign this agenda,” said Zvizdić.
On this occasion, the EU Special Representative to BiH underlined that this day is turning a historic moment in the relations between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Membership in the EU is not a gift. It’s something you have to work for, and we are here to assist you,” said Wigermark.
In the process, he pointed to the importance of political will, which must leave aside the controversial issues.
SAA between BiH and the EU was signed in Luxembourg on 16 June 2008, but due to delays in the implementation of reforms it has never entered into force.
After the political leaders pledged commitment of BiH to its EU path, it was proposed that the treaty enters into force which officially happened today.
The Council of the EU adopted on 21 April a decision on the conclusion of the SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(Source: Fena/ photo faktor)
