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Bosnia’s new Presidency members commit themselves to EU path

SARAJEVO – New members of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, Šefik Džaferović, Milorad Dodik and Željko Komšić, took oath of office today. During the following press conference, all three of them committed themselves to the country’s EU path, while Džaferović and Komšić also supported integrations into NATO.

“Me and my colleagues will ask at the first session that the EU and its structures approve the status of candidate for Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible. We want to see the commitment of Europe too,” said Dodik, who will be at the helm of the rotating tripartite Presidency for next eight months, N1 reported.

He said that he will respect the country’s Constitution and the 1995 Dayton Agreement, but added that some of the solutions that were adequate for the past may not be adequate any more.

“I will advocate the abolition of the High Representative as soon as possible,” Dodik stated.

His new colleague Komšić emphasised that the opportunities provided by the Membership Action Plan Bosnia has with NATO have to be used. According to him, EU and NATO memberships would be guarantees for country’s prosperity and stability.

EU: Reform Agenda and new Election Law are a priority

A day earlier, EU Foreign Affairs Council devoted a part of its session to the post-election situation in BiH. It urged political leaders to form governments at all levels as soon as possible.

“Bosnia should completely focus on the Reform Agenda which is directly linked to Bosnia’s EU integration process; it should also focus on the reform of its Election Law”, said High Representative Mogherini, who chaired the meeting.

The message was reiterated today by the Head of EU Delegation to Bosnia Lars-Gunnar Wigermark, who added that political parties should take into account the wishes of their voters.

He addressed the allegations of non-transparent and unfair election process, stating that EU is aligning itself with the assessments of OSCE and ODIHR, the organisations that once again emphasised long-term structural problems, but not a significant voter fraud.

“It is important to adopt a new Election Law, so that the next elections are not held in a legal vacuum”, Wigermark said.

He also reminded of the fact that, after the answers to a European Commission Questionnaire were submitted in February, a new round of questions was sent in June. The process of answering has still not been completed.

“It shows a worrying signal regarding Bosnia’s level of engagement in the EU integration process”, Wigermark stressed.

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