Principal Deputy High Representative, Raffi Gregorian met in Sarajevo today with FBiH Prime Minister Mustafa Mujezinovic to discuss completion of three key issues; new premises for Sarajevo University’s Economics Faculty; the new draft FBiH Law on Internal Affairs; and, as requested by the High Representative, the FBiH Government’s assessment of property the entity needs in order to fulfil its constitutional and legislative obligations.
PDHR Gregorian welcomed that fact that at it’s 128th session the FBiH Government prepared a draft Protocol on the construction of new premises for the Economic Faculty of the University in Sarajevo, as well as the Conclusion adopted by Sarajevo Canton Government and comments from the Faculty of Economics on the issue.
“These are crucial steps towards returning the Orthodox seminary to its rightful owners”, said PDHR Gregorian, adding that the return of the Serb Orthodox seminary would serve as an example of how to deal with similar cases until BiH adopts a Law on Restitution. PDHR Gregorian and Prime Minister Mujezinovic discussed possible dates for signing the FBiH Government’s protocol.
Encouraging the FBiH Government to clear the way for consideration of the long-awaited new draft of the FBiH Law on Internal Affairs, PDHR Gregorian noted that the new proposal should clearly establish the operational and budgetary independence of the police from the Ministry as a necessary measure to prevent improper political influence. PDHR Gregorian pointed out that laws for police at the state level and in the Brcko District already provide this independence.
“The FBiH Law on Internal Affairs is out of date and needs to be updated to reflect the current operational and budgetary independence already exercised by the FBiH police – there is no room for rollback. The Federation needs modern policing and a modern law to support it,” said Gregorian and he welcomed Prime Minister Mujezinovic’s commitment to the rule of law and his understanding of the need for such legislation, which he thinks should also ensure police are able to respond whenever needed.
Prime Minister Mujezinovic informed PDHR Gregorian of the FBiH’s Government’s attitude toward compiling a list of properties that the FBiH needs in order to fulfil its constitutional and legislative obligations in line with the 5+2 agenda set by the Peace Implementation Council.
Now that the inventory compiled by the OHR team has been delivered to State, Entity and Brcko District authorities, PDHR Gregorian noted that the PIC expects it to be used as the basis for discussions leading towards an intergovernmental agreement on resolving the State Property objective.
PDHR Gregorian said that the FBiH, like the State, Brcko and RS Governments should make urgent progress on competing their property lists and he urged Prime Minister Mujezinovic to ensure that the FBiH Government adopts a Decision which will initiate an assessment of the FBiH’s property needs.
“If Bosnia and Herzegovina is to move towards OHR closure and in that way present itself as a credible candidate to the EU, then efforts to reach an agreement on the apportionment of State property must be intensified,” said PDHR Gregorian.