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SARAJEVO, February 28 (FENA) - This path that you have embarked on is a natural path for Bosnia and Herzegovina, because you are Europe and an integral part of European territory, European history and culture, and we need to improve and consolidate Europe's history and geography together, said President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker at the beginning of his address before the representatives and deputies of the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and other guests.
He welcomed the elected representatives of BiH, as well as the citizens of BiH because, as he said, they are here because of them and they are working for them.
“At a moment when your country is going through a new stage on the path to EU candidacy, I would like to say how much I am connected to the European perspective of BiH,” said Juncker.
He noted that the European Commission will now carefully examine the responses and begin to prepare an opinion on BiH's request for EU accession.
“I would like you to work with us, especially with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, unfortunately is not with us today, but also with European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, all in the spirit of unity in order for the European Commission, when the moment comes, to recommend your official candidacy for the EU accession,” said Juncker.
He stressed that the future of BiH in the European Union, which is based on some fundamental values, and that each country should do something in that regard.
“The European Union is a community of values and that is the basis of all future integration into the EU,” added the European Commission President.
In this regard, he also referred to the Olympic Youth Festival that will be held in 2019 in BiH, saying that this will be an opportunity to promote Olympic values that are kindred to the European spirit, namely in the promotion of peace and tolerance.
That is why, as Juncker pointed out, Europe is more than just an internal market and a system of government institutions.
"It will remain a peace project, a project of reconciliation in unity, where differences are respected," he added.
According to him, Europe is an opportunity for all of us to live and work together.
"Europe teaches us about ourselves and asks us to look beyond cultural differences, language differences, to find a harmonious coexistence," he emphasized, noting that Europe is not the same as the United States, and that he does not want a single country, but that everyone in it preserves their particularities and traditions.
Juncker believes that Europe has diversities that in fact, enriched it.
"I love being a Luxembourg citizen, it is patriotism, but I like being a European as well," he said, adding that it is precisely because of this that everyone should be living in a state of peace and security.
Podvukao je da takav patriotizam nema veze sa nacionalizmom.
Nationalism is the hatred of others, and it is poisonous, and contrary to European values. I am always revolted when political parties hold xenophobic speeches that are hostile towards others,” said Juncker, saying that he will always fight for justice, against nationalism and racism.
He underlined that such patriotism has nothing to do with nationalism.
At the end of his address, he especially emphasized that it is necessary to implement court decisions without delay in BiH, with the conclusion that without the fight against corruption and organized crime there will be no rule of law, which stands as an obligation in the EU integration process.
He also added that without amending the Election Law, the institutions of BiH and its progress towards the EU will be paralyzed.
Juncker's address was attended by a large number of officials, representatives of almost all levels of government in BiH, diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organizations.
High-ranking EU officials, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn, are today on an official visit to BiH on the occasion of submission of responses to the European Commission Questionnaire.
The responses on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina were submitted to the European Commission President this morning by the Presidency Chairman Dragan Čović and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić.
(FENA) S. R.
