The Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović, emphasized today in Antalya at the Diplomatic Forum that Bosnia and Herzegovina must be sovereign to progress on the European path and that decisions should be made by domestic institutions, not foreigners.
At the panel on the theme “Striving for Stability and Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Cvijanović highlighted that the work of domestic institutions cannot be substituted by foreigners.
She appealed for the EU to show more flexibility towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for domestic politicians to show more agility in meeting the necessary conditions.
Cvijanović emphasized that the essence is what all parties are doing to overcome disagreements, not what they are doing to deepen mutual divides.
Cvijanović stated she is a moderate optimist regarding the European path, mentioning that Bosnia and Herzegovina received 14 priorities as conditions that need to be fulfilled.
“A lot has already been done, things are not ideal, but they are not to be underestimated, considering the efforts made,” said Cvijanović, adding that the foreign factor also bears responsibility.
Speaking about the law on the court, she noted that European officials said they were indifferent about the location of the appellate council’s headquarters, but the American Ambassador Michael Murphy got involved.
She mentioned that one should not turn a blind eye to reality and emphasized that there are many unresolved issues affecting the European path, and that the EU has been stating for years that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a European perspective.
She pointed out that holidays are one of the issues on which there is no consensus, noting that March 1st is celebrated in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but not in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“There is no law on holidays at the level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, giving entities the autonomy to define what is and what is not a holiday for them,” she said, adding that March 1st is celebrated in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the Republika Srpska, the day of the signing of the Dayton Agreement on which the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina rests is celebrated.
However, she added, that is not the essence, but rather what is being done in Bosnia and Herzegovina to create an environment that is compatible with what the EU is today.
She pointed out that there are traditional and emotional ties of the Republika Srpska with Russia, emphasizing that Russia’s attitude towards Bosnia and Herzegovina is principled and she sees no obstacle to developing relations with everyone in the world.
Speaking about NATO, Cvijanović mentioned that the Reform Program, which states that cooperation should be enhanced but does not prejudge membership in the Alliance, is in force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The panel also featured the other two members of the Presidency, Željko Komšić and Denis Bećirović.
Source: RTRS
