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SARAJEVO, February 17 (FENA) – After formation of government in BiH, new members of the BiH delegation will be appointed to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
By: Senka Trgovčević
Head of the Council of Europe Office in BiH Drahoslav Štefánek told FENA that new members will need to face numerous challenges, such as the crisis regarding non-participation of delegation of Russian Federation, and “possible amendment to the Rulebook will have to be solved”.
“Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has a very difficult and important year ahead. Focus will be the session in June, when PACE will elect new secretary general of the Council of Europe for the next five years,” said Štefánek.
Council of Europe will continue its project “School of Political Studies (SPS) BiH, which will be attended by thirty young people. According to Štefánek, they will be able to take part in the Global Democracy Forum in Strasbourg in November 2019.
“This school will provide them with quality training for new democratic leaders to increase their understanding of democratic values, which will empower them to lead the change towards true democratic management in BiH,” said Štefánek.
Thanks to the Council of Europe, project whose aim was reintegration of violent and extremist prisoners in BiH has been completed.
Štefanek noted that radicalism and violent extremism go beyond borders and it is always a regional and international problem.
“It is good to recognize there is consensus that BiH should take more steps in that regard. Most important aspect is improving economic opportunities and that is why support to the EU agenda is the highest priority for BiH,” said Štefánek.
International community in BiH accelerated donor programs directed towards deradicalization and reintegration. One pilot program to support reintegration of violent and extremist prisoners in BiH funded by the UK Government in March 2018 has been completed.
“Last month we launched a new 24-month project which is supported by the British government and USAID Office in BiH. Project will be implemented in close cooperation with partners from Ministry of Justice of BiH, Federation and Republika Srpska and their partners from state and entity law enforcement agencies, social care services, civil society organizations and other relevant actors. It is not only about reintegration, but prevention is also very important. Prevention of radicalization in prisons is still an important challenge in many countries,” emphasized Štefánek.
So far he has also supported numerous sporting activities in BiH.
Considering he watched the Winter Olympics in 1984 he hopes that the European Youth Olympic Festival 2019 has managed to bring back the Olympic spirit in BiH.
“Europe has noticed EYOF and I am happy that both entities, the Federation and Republika Srpska, are united in organizing this-year’s games, which I attended,” Head of the Council of Europe Office to BiH Drahoslav Štefánek told FENA.
(FENA) A. B.
