The International Community is duty bound to help the forces of positive change in Bosnia and Herzegovina reach “surge capacity”, High Representative Valentin Inzko told the UN Security Council today.
In his half-yearly address to the UN body, the High Representative stressed that although backward-looking politics still have the power to exert a negative influence; Bosnia and Herzegovina has “an expanding force of forward-looking people that is getting ever stronger by the day”. He said the International Community must do everything it can “to help BiH seize the opportunity offered by the EU so that 2015 is remembered as the year Bosnia and Herzegovina turned decisively to the future.”
“What happens during the next six months will play be a hugely significant role in determining how the 20th anniversary of Dayton will be viewed by the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina” the High Representative said.
“Peace is of course a priceless commodity. It should never be taken for granted. But it is the base, not the end state. It is entirely right that after twenty years the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina – especially the young – expect so much more from their country and their politicians.”
“If we see hard work and results in the weeks and months ahead then we will be able to look forward with real optimism,” the High Representative said. “There are politicians and people in Bosnia and Herzegovina who want to work together in good faith to take the country forward. They must have our full and proactive support.”
Click here for the full text of the High Representative’s speech.