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SARAJEVO, November 22 (FENA) - Let's make a good use of this anniversary as a turning point in the transition from a post-war to a pre-accession country. Let's use it as an opportunity to speed up the process and make a step forward from Dayton to Brussels, said the Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who visited BiH yesterday on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Dayton Accords.
Borrell emphasized that as we remember the tragedies of the past, we will never allow them to happen again, and we use this occasion to celebrate the will to coexist in peace today and our willingness to build a common future.
He emphasized that today we are marking a key turning point - the 25th anniversary of the end of the devastating war in BiH, whose wounds are still clearly visible today.
He said that the future of BiH is in the European Union, emphasizing that it is a joint commitment of Europe and BiH, but that the political leadership in BiH must take its share of responsibility, it must enable the reforms that the country needs.
“This is a country full of churches and mosques, it has always played an important role in the history of Europe. For centuries this country has been the point where East and West meet and blend. It has been the border of two empires and two religions. Where a mosque’s call for prayer is in harmony with the ringing of church bells, while a synagogue stands beside them. Here we see the harmony of three denominations that have lived in peace for years. This plurality of cultures is a great asset,” Borrell said.
He stated that cultural plurality is wealth, but for those who want to keep divisions alive, it can be twisted into a weapon. That was evident thirty years ago when neighbors became enemies.
He points out that EU membership remains a fundamental priority for the citizens of this country, more than 80 percent of them express support for this goal. In that sense, he said that the authorities must provide even better conditions for the citizens and that the citizens expect that from their elected officials.
He underlined that in BiH, as in other Balkan countries, political divisions, shortcomings of the judicial system, corruption and negative rhetoric are deeply rooted, which continue to block progress.
“We have to admit that this is still true. Citizens do not understand why their future is a hostage of political and administrative recommendations, why the past keeps them in striving for the future. Their views are much broader than BiH and the region. Fortunately, they can move outside the borders of their country and see what is happening outside, which is why their expectations are high,” he said.
He added that the absence of key reforms in BiH will not only slow down the country's European path, but citizens will continue to express their dissatisfaction with leaving the country.
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