British ambassador: BiH is blocked again, lags behind politicians

Most bh. Politicians are discussing each other and wasting the time that BiH does not have, Ambassador Ferguson said.

British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Edward Ferguson warned that BiH is once again in a problematic phase because reforms in that country have been halted, and its politicians are concentrated mainly on conflicts between themselves.

In an interview with the Banja Luka-based Nezavisne Novine, Ferguson said that such an attitude was shared by the entire international community, including the conclusion that politicians in BiH show their work that they are not constantly supporting the process of European integration of their country.

"The European Union has given a clear signal that BiH is now seriously risking a standstill on its European path." Continuity in the implementation of reforms has been halted. Instead of proposing solutions to the serious economic and social problems that ordinary citizens face, most of your politicians are discussing each other Spending the time that this country does not have. The rest of the region is moving towards EU membership by implementing reforms and building infrastructure, and BiH is lagging behind, "Ferguson said.

He estimated that at this time the authorities at all levels would have to show more determination in the implementation of the reforms, and the opposition has ordered to abandon cheap populism and take more account of the long-term interests of citizens.

Criticism of amendments to the Election Law

The British ambassador also criticized the HDZ's proposal to amend the Election Law of BiH, which has already received support in the House of Peoples of the National Assembly, but with little prospect of being accepted in the House of Representatives or to enter into force.

According to Ferguson's court, this HDZ's process only complicated and unnecessarily complicated the situation in BiH, because it is a one-sided proposal which, in addition, does not respect the international obligations of BiH.

"We believe that our existing proposal is even more distant from European standards, which could make it difficult to obtain a candidate status for EU membership because the EU foreign ministers clearly made it clear that, when considering BiH's application for candidate status, special attention will be paid to progress in implementation Judgment of the European Court of Justice in the case of Sejdic and Finci, "said Ferguson.

The HDZ proposal refers exclusively to changes in the manner of election of a Croat and Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency and the election of deputies to the House of Peoples of the Federation of BiH Parliament and does not offer proposals for the elimination of discrimination against members of national minorities in the election process, Hina recalls.

The pressures on the intelligence agency are inadmissible
The British ambassador said that the international community has an understanding of the positions that require changes that would include resolving some legitimate demands of Croats in BiH, but this must be done by bringing the country closer to the standards of the European Union.

Ferguson also warned of unacceptable political pressures on the Intelligence and Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (OSA), pointing out that this could additionally jeopardize the security of BiH citizens.

"I am very concerned that OSA has become the target of recent conflicts between political parties, which is an extremely important institution and key partner in the fight against terrorism and serious and organized crime. By citizens will increase.

We expect responsibility from politicians. We expect the Agency to do its job professionally and in detail, in the interest of all citizens in BiH. This includes the exchange of intelligence with the authorities in Republika Srpska, but this obligation is twofold, and Republika Srpska should also share its information with that agency, "Ambassador Ferguson concluded.

• 4 Aug, 2017
• 1220 views