Article by Christian Schwarz-Schilling, High Representative for BiH “Fulfilling Promises”

Fulfilling Promises

In any democracy, the conduct of parliamentarians is crucial; democracies only flourish if members of parliament act – and are seen to act – with integrity and responsibility in the interests of all those they represent.

I am pleased that the House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina is resuming its inaugural session today. But I am also concerned that seven-and-a-half weeks have elapsed since the inaugural session began and no work has been done in that period. This can only diminish respect among citizens for parliament and its members.

Rightly or wrongly, parliamentarians have given the impression that they believe Bosnia and Herzegovina is not facing any pressing problems. They must now act to change that perception and set an example to others. This parliament can be a historic one. It can and should pass key laws to help improve the life of citizens and move Bosnia and Herzegovina closer to the European Union.

Only the country’s parliamentarians can take the steps that are necessary to achieve these goals. I will not do their work for them, nor will it be done by others in the international community. Members of parliament must now demonstrate that they can take their country and all its citizens forward from division and despair and lead them to prosperity, security and full Euro-Atlantic integration. That is what they were elected to do.

Christian Schwarz-Schilling is the international community’s High Representative and the European Union’s Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.