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SARAJEVO, January 26 (FENA) - Director of the European External Action Service Angelina Eichhorst and Matthew Palmer, US Special Envoy for Electoral Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, met in Sarajevo today with members of the Joint Collegium of both houses of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly to discuss the issues of blocking the institution and amending the Election Law.
Even today, after the meeting, the international mediators in the negotiations on these issues said that they support a united, peaceful and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina, one state, one territory, one people, Eichhorst said.
“The Parliamentary Assembly of BiH is the home of democracy, it is a place where the most important issues of citizens are discussed and where it is only possible to achieve progress and find solutions. Therefore, the current political crisis is unacceptable for the citizens of BiH and should be for members of the BiH Parliament because it is also unacceptable for the European Union and our partners,” said Eichhorst.
Blocking the effective work of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly and other state institutions means blocking democracy, Eichhorst made clear. Therefore, she emphasized that the EU and all its members call for an immediate unblocking of the work of BiH institutions and an unconditional return that will enable their full functionality.
They believe that the agreement of all political entities on constitutional and electoral changes within BiH is extremely important, but that agreement has not yet been reached, although international mediators, she says, are there to provide a platform for talks and support.
“It is important to remove all discriminatory provisions contained in the Election Law and provisions that will improve the integrity of the overall election process while harmonizing them with all standards, both European and international,” Eichhorst added.
Confidence in the election process and state institutions has been undermined by very serious allegations of fraud, and BiH citizens want to participate in elections they can trust, which they believe will be held this year.
She mentioned that this would make a significant step forward on the European path and BiH's rapprochement with the European Union, which is the message that the international mediators conveyed to the members of the Joint Collegium to gather and work together.
“We are talking about a credible package that will primarily address issues of discrimination through legislation, ensure transparency and integrity of the electoral process and improve the functionality of institutions. Time is not on our side and it is extremely important that we reach a compromise,” concluded Director of the European External Action Service Angelina Eichhorst.
(FENA) A. B.
