BRUSSELS, Belgium (September 11,2007) – The EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn and the International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajcak, expressed disappointment that Bosnia has still not met all requirements for signing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union during a bilateral meeting in Brussels yesterday.
Without an agreement on police reform in accordance with the EU's three principles, the EU will be unable to conclude a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Bosnia,Rehn warned.
Olli Rehn reiterated his full support for the police reform proposal presented by Lajcak to Bosnia's political leaders at the end of August, stressing that it is fully in line with the three EU principles set out by the Commission. He strongly encouraged all political parties to continue to work constructively with Lajcak on the basis of his proposal and reach a comprehensive agreement without delay.
Miroslav Lajcak expressed cautious optimism over the fact that Bosnia's political leaders have provided detailed comments on his recent police reform proposal and agreed to continue negotiations in view of reaching an agreement by the end of September.
Lajcak warned that “unless Bosnia's leaders show a greater responsibility towards Bosnia and a clear readiness for comprise on police reform, it will be impossible to reach an agreement in time for the Commission report.
"The European Union is following the police reform negotiations very closely, and their outcome will be a clear indication of the political maturity of the country's leaders and their readiness to lead Bosnia towards the European Union", Lajcak said.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
SOLANA URGES BOSNIA TO PUSH FORWARD POLICE REFORM
BRUSSELS, Belgium (September 11,2007) - The European Union (EU) High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, urged Bosnia yesterday to push forward police reform, which is crucial for the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Bosnia the EU.
In a meeting with the International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajcak, Solana called on Bosnia's political leaders to engage constructively on the latest initiative presented by Lajcak so as to remove the last obstacle preventing the country from concluding the SAA with the EU.
During the meeting, Solana and Lajcak discussed the current political situation in Bosnia, mainly the police reform.
Solana expressed his full support for Lajcak's efforts to find a compromise on police reform with the country's party leaders.
Signing of the SAA is considered the first step for the Southeastern European nations to join the EU.
In a meeting with the International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajcak, Solana called on Bosnia's political leaders to engage constructively on the latest initiative presented by Lajcak so as to remove the last obstacle preventing the country from concluding the SAA with the EU.
During the meeting, Solana and Lajcak discussed the current political situation in Bosnia, mainly the police reform.
Solana expressed his full support for Lajcak's efforts to find a compromise on police reform with the country's party leaders.
Signing of the SAA is considered the first step for the Southeastern European nations to join the EU.
BOSNIA KEEPS HEFTY IMPORT DUTIES ON SERBIAN AND CROATIAN PRODUCTS
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 11,2007) - The Bosnian State Parliament recently approved the reimposition of a 40 percent hike in duties on dairy and meat products imported from neighboring Serbia and Croatia.
The September 6 vote flies in the face of parliament's decision on September 5 to back Bosnia's membership of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), a free-trade zone that now only operates in the Southeastern Europe.
Bosnia's Parliament was hesitant about ratifying the CEFTA after Bosnian farmers voiced concerns and in the midst of a severe drought,and Bosnia's Prime Minister, Nikola Spiric promised to outline within 60 days a set of measures designed to soften the impact of the increased competition.
The September 6 vote flies in the face of parliament's decision on September 5 to back Bosnia's membership of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), a free-trade zone that now only operates in the Southeastern Europe.
Bosnia's Parliament was hesitant about ratifying the CEFTA after Bosnian farmers voiced concerns and in the midst of a severe drought,and Bosnia's Prime Minister, Nikola Spiric promised to outline within 60 days a set of measures designed to soften the impact of the increased competition.
OSCE : ETHNICALLY SEPARATED SCHOOLS ARE DISGRACE FOR BOSNIA
SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 11,2007) – Schools divided on the ethnic basis are an unlucky aspect of educational praxis in Bosnia. The “two schools under one roof” concept is a dramatic aspect of the division and a disgrace for the country. This was stated by Mersiha Causevic – Podzic, OSCE Mission to Bosnia Spokesperson.
”Divided schools paint a picture of cultural splits in Bosnia, in the worst possible way. The way the pupils are educated is a threat to the long-term stability of the country”, she said.
OSCE Mission is concerned about the fact that some parents keep insisting that their children attend schools only with the members of their people and with the fact that they keep insisting their children be educated in their own mother tongue and culture. In that way, they do damage to their children and the Bosnian state.
”If the country’s youth knows nothing about the other peoples living with them, if they know nothing about the common history, identity and heritage, we see no ways and possibilities of this country’s progress”, OSCE Mission warned.
”Divided schools paint a picture of cultural splits in Bosnia, in the worst possible way. The way the pupils are educated is a threat to the long-term stability of the country”, she said.
OSCE Mission is concerned about the fact that some parents keep insisting that their children attend schools only with the members of their people and with the fact that they keep insisting their children be educated in their own mother tongue and culture. In that way, they do damage to their children and the Bosnian state.
”If the country’s youth knows nothing about the other peoples living with them, if they know nothing about the common history, identity and heritage, we see no ways and possibilities of this country’s progress”, OSCE Mission warned.
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