OHR: MAJORITY OF BOSNIAN CITIZENS SUPPORT EU INTEGRATION

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (June 11,2008) - The vast majority of the Bosnian citizens back EU integration and are more focused on jobs and the economy, an independent survey shows.

The survey, conducted by the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR), shows that more than 80 percent of all Bosnian citizens are in favour of Bosnia’s integration into the European Union,the International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia Miroslav Lajcak said.

Speaking at a public debate yesterday in the Bosnian city of Zenica, Lajcak said the survey shows that the Bosnian citizens are primarily focused on unemployment, corruption and education.

“This shows that people in all parts of Bosnia are struggling with the same problems, that they think absolutely in the same way," Lajcak said.

Lajcak, together with the Head of the European Commission Delegation, Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas and the French Ambassador Maryse Berniau in capacity of the incoming EU Presidency, yesterday also urged Bosnian leaders to move on with reforms – such as the rule of law, state property among others – which are crucial for the continuation of Bosnia's EU accession process, a OHR statement said.

Speaking at a thematic session of the Bosnian government devoted to obligations stemming from European integration, the three diplomats called upon local politicians to “refrain from nationalist and anti-state rhetoric and function during the election campaign as an effective government, in service of the citizens."

“The latest polls show that public support across Bosnia for EU membership is up to 85 per cent. It is your job to give this to them,” Lajcak said.
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