Speeches

The report warns of disturbing trends. Alarmingly, most citizens believe corruption has increased in recent years, for instance.

As an Austrian diplomat serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina I believe I can offer a useful perspective on current European issues. At the same time, I believe there are things that we can learn from Estonia’s recent experience that will help Bosnia and Herzegovina make progress along the path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.

Following independence Latvia was able to carry through the transition to market democracy and integration in Euro-Atlantic structures. It is taking Bosnia and Herzegovina longer and the process has been beset by difficulties, but we are on the same road and we are determined to reach the same objective.

These days are special for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it will celebrate 20 years since its admission as a member state to the United Nations, along with Croatia and Slovenia, on 22 May.

The theme of this lecture series – the West Balkans and the European Union – correctly and usefully places European integration in a regional context, rather than dealing with the process on a country-by-country basis.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s successful integration in Euro-Atlantic structures is an indispensable element in the European Union’s long-term development strategy – the general topic of this forum -- and an indispensable element in the European Union’s relationship with its neighbours – the specific topic of our panel this morning.

Change management in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the last sixteen years has been difficult and – particularly in the early years – often painful. Those who have borne the pain are the four million long-suffering citizens of this country. But the pain has not been for nothing. Much has been achieved.

Despite the difficult circumstances in which it was drawn up, the treaty has kept the peace for sixteen years. This is an important achievement. At the same time lasting peace – in a country and between countries – is organic. It develops through complex social, cultural, economic and political steps.

Since my last report, however, Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued to see political stagnation and backsliding. When I last spoke to you in May of this year, I was forced to submit a special report that detailed serious violations of the Dayton Agreement by one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s two entities.

The world has changed in fundamental ways since 1997, when our colleagues died here. Bosnia and Herzegovina has moved forward – too slowly in important areas, but real progress has been achieved.