Head of OSCE Mission to BiH Kavalec visits Mostar, reiterates Mission’s support to new city administration

SARAJEVO, 27 April 2021 - Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina visited Mostar today and met with city officials, the Mayor and City Council Speaker, Chairs of Mostar City Council caucuses and representatives of political parties, to congratulate them on their mandates, to learn about the priorities of the new city administration, and to offer OSCE Mission support in key areas.

Kavalec met with Mostar Mayor Mario Kordić and Salem Marić, Speaker of Mostar City Council to discuss the needs of the citizens and possibilities to strengthen transparency and communication. They also discussed the longstanding proposal for renovation and unification of Mostar's music schools and re-confirmed the Mission’s support for this project, which has the potential to improve musical education and raise the city's cultural profile.  

Kavalec enquired about the possibilities of improving city regulations in regards to fundamental freedoms. She also discussed possibilities for joint, inclusive initiatives aimed to foster a culture of remembrance.

“I am glad to see that after many years, a fully functioning city administration has been established. I hope that new city officials will engage quickly to resolve pressing municipal issues and to move the city forward”, said Kavalec. “Transparency and accountability, and education are all areas of great importance. The Mission remains engaged and at the disposal to the new city administration in addressing all these issues,” she said.

Kavalec also met with the Chairs of Mostar City Council caucuses, Miroslav Grubišić, Chair of Croat Caucus, Zlatko Guzin, Chair of Bosniak Caucus and Velibor Milivojević, Chair of Serb Caucus. They discussed the functioning of the City Council and the Mission’s support to strengthening good governance, transparency and accountability of the city administration.

“The proposal to renovate and unify the Mostar music schools has been pending for some time now, despite the availability of donor funds and the support of the international community,” said Kavalec. “Earlier obstacles that hampered the functioning of the city administration are now gone and we hope to see an early decision to move forward for the benefit of all children in Mostar and the Canton.”

During the visit Kavalec met with Josip Merdžo, Secretary General of the Croat National Assembly. They discussed the current status of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton government establishment, as well as resolution of issues related to the unification of Mostar music schools.

Ambassador Kavalec concluded her visit to Mostar by meeting with Jozo Pavković, Editor in Chief of Večernji list where she discussed the challenges media face in time of pandemic and reiterated Mission dedication to strengthening media freedom in BiH.