Message from the Conference

COPENHAGEN / EMBASSY OF BiH – MESSAGE FROM THE CONFERENCE 

ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA “CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES ON THE PATH TO EU MEMBERSHIP” COPENHAGEN 13 OF JANUARY 2022.

Being committed to contribute to preserving lasting peace, stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the other countries of the Western Balkans;

Recalling that the internal organization of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its two enteties is based on the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that must be respected by the precidency, the government, the political parties and all other stakeholders;

Emphasizing that the current constitutional and  legal system of Bosnia and Herzegovina is still not in accordance with international human rights instruments, in particular, the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms;

Being aware that the current political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina seriously jeopardizes that state's societal conditions, progress, and peace, thereby affecting  the stability of the Balkans and Europe as a whole;

Referring to The Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025 adopted by  the Committee of Ministers the 7th December 2021 that aims to bring Bosnia and Herzegovina’s legislation, institutions and practice further into line with European standards in the areas of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, with the intention to support the country’s efforts to honour its obligations as a Council of Europe member state;

Pointing out  that the Action Plan has been prepared following consultations with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and international partners including the European Union;

we, the organizers of the conference are submitting the following recommendations addressed to all relevant authorities in Bosnia and Hercegovina, to the governments of the member states of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, to the members of the Security Council of the UN, and to other stakeholders of the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina of November/December 1995:

  • To actively support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's efforts towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration by its full implementation of the Council of Europe Action plan adopted 7th December 2021  in cooperation with Council of Europe and the European Union.
  • To actively support the Office of the High Representative (OHR) as an integral part of the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the supreme political authority whose contribution to stability is unquestionable, until the full conditions for its closure are met.
  • To take such legal action incessantly that no citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina regardless of etnicity and religion  will be discriminated against, including the democratic right to vote and to run for an election.
  • To prompt member and observer states of the Council of Europe as well as EU and its member States to consider making voluntary contributions in order to supplement the budget currently available for this Action Plan.

Copenhagen, 13th January 2022.