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SARAJEVO, May 17 (FENA) - European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, together with the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto, co-chaired the high-level Political Forum held in Sarajevo, after which it was said that there is a clear willingness to fulfill reforms for European integration.
Members of the collegium of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and representatives of clubs of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, prime ministers of entities, cantons in the Federation of BiH and the mayor of Brčko District of BiH participated in the forum.
Várhelyi emphasized that they are in Sarajevo today with one task, and that is to hold a forum that sounds like another bureaucratic story and as if it is not a very important meeting interesting for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it marked the beginning of a different approach and acceleration the path of BiH, a candidate country, to the European Union.
He points out that there is now a concrete plan and priorities are clearly defined, and they concern the rule of law and other areas, but now there is a new consensus and today's forum is part of that emerging consensus, which is necessary for BiH to fulfill its obligations in the context of candidate status.
"This year could be an exceptional year in which there are no choices and be a turning point, and the EU could undertake a strategic process of accession. If there are results, we can speed up BiH's path to the EU, but there are no shortcuts or concessions, everything must be fulfilled and that applies to every candidate country," concluded the European Commissioner.
When asked how the EU views today's announcement by the president of the BiH entity Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik that he will visit Russia and meet with President Vladimir Putin, Várhelyi clearly said that EU allies are not going to Russia.
Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Borjana Krišto, said that today's forum and dialogue was held with respect for the constitutional structure of BiH, assessing that this is the way BiH should work, adding that she expressed readiness for European integration.
"We have clearly shown and received a signal from the European Union that BiH is a place in the European family and is part of the European integration processes, it has also been shown what needs to be worked on. BiH received an advance in candidate status because there are many conditions that must be met," explained Krišto after the meeting.
She says that today the readiness of all political representatives for the integration process has been demonstrated through this form and dialogue, and this is an encouragement for ensuring political stability in BiH and moving towards the European Union, and the EU will provide all kinds of financial and professional assistance.
In the recommendation for the granting of candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina from October 2022, the European Commission stated its readiness to further support BiH's efforts on its European path through the establishment of a high-level Political Forum with the aim of monitoring the implementation of the steps from the recommendation and reporting on the progress achieved on the ground.
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