COUNCIL OF EUROPE ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR STRENGTHENING OF BOSNIAN STATE INSTITUTIONS AND ELIMINTATION OF ENTITY VOTING

STRASBOURG, France (October 2,2008) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution about Bosnia, which is a part of its report about the results of reform processes in the country.

The Council of Europe appealed to all politicians in Bosnia to help finalize as soon as possible democratic reforms in the spirit of constructive dialogue and collaboration. It also condemned all statements and actions weakening state-level institutions and questioning the future of Bosnia.

The Council of Europe further expressed its concern abut the growing nationalist rhetoric, especially in the context of an election campaign for the local elections taking place in October this year.

The Council of Europe called on all Bosnian state institutions to immediately start with constitutional reform, eliminate entity voting and strengthen state-level institutions.
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IZETBEGOVIC MET WITH NEWLY-ELECTED SPEAKER OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE PARLIAMENT

STRASBOURG, France (January 25,2008) - The President of the Bosnian Parliamentary Assembly at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Bakir Izetbegovic met in Strasbourg with newly elected Speaker of the Council of Europe Parliament Lluis Maria de Puig and the Council of Europe Secretary General Mateo Sorinas.

De Puig said that monitoring of future development of the events will be of special significance for Bosnia and that he is aware that Bosnia is a complex country institutionally-wise. He also added that the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly will offer every kind of assistance to the Bosnian Parliament.

Izetbegovic stated that political situation in Bosnia is improving and added that Bosnia is of a special interest for the rest of Europe, for it is a proof that different peoples and faiths can live together.

During the meeting, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Secretary General Mateo Sorinas expressed pleasure over the election of head of the delegation, because that will remove all the difficulties that appeared last year.

Nomination of Caroline Ravaud to the position of CE’s Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Bosnia was emphasized as important, because she is an excellent expert on Bosnia.