OSCE Chairman-in-Office sees 2006 as an important milestone on Bosnia and Herzegovina's path to reform
(OSCE/Edib Jahic)OSCE Chairman-in-Office Karel De Gucht (left) with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sulejman Tihic, in Sarajevo, 26 April 2006. (OSCE/Edib Jahic) Photo details
SARAJEVO, 26 April 2006 - During a two-day visit to Sarajevo, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, met Bosnian Prime Minister Adnan Terzic, Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic and the members of the Bosnian Presidency, Sulejman Tihic, Borislav Paravac and Ivo Miro Jovic, as well as members of the international community.
Minister De Gucht urged the Bosnian authorities to pursue reforms on the path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. "The OSCE has been very much supporting these efforts and will continue to do so," the Chairman-in-Office said.
"The opening of the Stabilization Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations in November 2005 is a positive development for Bosnia and Herzegovina and implies the acknowledgment of your achievements" the Minister said. "However, much work is still required," he added, encouraging the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue reform efforts. "The year 2006 is to be a very significant one in this respect."
The Chairman-in-Office called on the Bosnian parties to adopt constitutional amendments to introduce more simple, efficient and affordable institutions, strengthening the federal level. He also insisted on police reform and on full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which is of particular importance for the SAA negotiations.
Another issue of concern he raised in his talks with Bosnian leaders was education reform. "This should continue to be a key priority in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is of utmost importance that a state-level higher education law be passed and a state-level education agency be established in 2006," the Chairman-in-Office said.
He also emphasized the need for finding a regional solution to refugee returns, including achieving progress on the property law.
The Minister encouraged co-operation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro on war crimes prosecution and urged the leaders to find agreement on sensitive issues, such as extradition or dual citizenship. "Such a political agreement is absolutely necessary for further progress," he said.
Looking ahead to the October 2006 parliamentary elections, the Chairman-in Office said that OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was planning a needs assessment mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of June, to examine the possible deployment of an election observation mission.
Minister De Gucht urged the Bosnian authorities to pursue reforms on the path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. "The OSCE has been very much supporting these efforts and will continue to do so," the Chairman-in-Office said.
"The opening of the Stabilization Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations in November 2005 is a positive development for Bosnia and Herzegovina and implies the acknowledgment of your achievements" the Minister said. "However, much work is still required," he added, encouraging the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue reform efforts. "The year 2006 is to be a very significant one in this respect."
The Chairman-in-Office called on the Bosnian parties to adopt constitutional amendments to introduce more simple, efficient and affordable institutions, strengthening the federal level. He also insisted on police reform and on full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which is of particular importance for the SAA negotiations.
Another issue of concern he raised in his talks with Bosnian leaders was education reform. "This should continue to be a key priority in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is of utmost importance that a state-level higher education law be passed and a state-level education agency be established in 2006," the Chairman-in-Office said.
He also emphasized the need for finding a regional solution to refugee returns, including achieving progress on the property law.
The Minister encouraged co-operation between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro on war crimes prosecution and urged the leaders to find agreement on sensitive issues, such as extradition or dual citizenship. "Such a political agreement is absolutely necessary for further progress," he said.
Looking ahead to the October 2006 parliamentary elections, the Chairman-in Office said that OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was planning a needs assessment mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of June, to examine the possible deployment of an election observation mission.