Speeches

Let me express my gratitude to the Central Election Commission for its initiative to organize today’s event and for inviting me to address the audience. The Central Election Commission is a success story of the election administration in BiH and the country can be proud of having such a body on the occasion of the international Election Day.

This dialogue between parliamentarians from the European Union and from Bosnia and Herzegovina could hardly take place at a more crucial moment. Bosnia and Herzegovina is poised to take its most significant step yet towards deeper integration with the EU.

I am honored by the opportunity to address you today. As the conference program is quite full, I will be very brief in my remarks.

I am very happy to witness real progress on BiH’s road to the European Union. Initialling may sound technical but it is of great symbolic importance after months of political paralysis.

It is my great pleasure to mark another successful year for EUFOR. Sincere thanks to General McColl, Admiral Witthauer, and all EUFOR personnel for a job well done. Also thanks to the EUSR, EUPM and EUMM for their invaluable contribution.

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure and honour to be here with you today. Let me begin by informing you on the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I am pleased to have the opportunity of speaking directly to the members of the Security Council this morning, because the international community’s strength of purpose underpins the continued recovery of Bosnia and Herzegovina – a country whose fortunes have in the last fifteen years been inextricably linked with decisions made in this chamber – a [...]

There will be presentations this morning highlighting key competitive advantages that the Srebrenica area can offer prospective investors and then this afternoon there will be meetings between prospective investors and prospective partners from the private sector and from the domestic authorities and international agencies. We want to facilitate, s [...]

The question posed as the topic of this round table is at the same time very relevant and is a fact by itself. The RS is an integral part of Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is a key element of the Dayton Peace Agreement and constitutional order of this country. It is my duty to protect the Dayton Peace Agreement in its civilian aspects and I shall fulfil th [...]

First, let me thank you for affording me this early opportunity in my tenure as High Representative and European Union Special Representative to explain both where we stand in Bosnia and Herzegovina and where we are going.