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Manfred Weber: The BiH foundation is Dayton and the three nations, the Election Law must be changed

Piše desk  /  16.02.2022., 14:47h
The European People‘s Party delegation held a series of important meetings in Sarajevo last week, sending clear messages about the need to stabilize the situation in the country and the importance of reaching a compromise on amending the Election Law. The focus of this visit was electoral reform, without which BiH has no chance of gaining candidate status. This was clearly stated in an interview with Večernji list BiH by the president of the EPP club in the European Parliament, the eminent German politician Manfred Weber.

„For us, the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, very clearly stated, is composed of three national components. We know that Croats are the least numerous people. That is why we asked others to show special care for the least numerous. For us, that it is very normal. Where you have different peoples, then the larger, more numerous ones must show special sensitivity to a smaller part of the population. I noticed a lot of willingness to respect that fact when we had conversations with all the politicians. I really have to say I noticed that readiness. But I want to emphasize again that the three nations are the foundation of this country and there must be special care for the least numerous“, Weber told Večernji List.

Speaking about the Bosniaks-Croats relations, ie the Election Law reform, Weber stated that he has a certain optimism, especially when it comes to the election of the Presidency members.

„The European Union and American friends are here to help, offer advice and give some support to the process. But, I repeat, it is up to domestic politicians to determine how things will move forward, how they will live together, to create a functioning state. I can tell you that without a solution to electoral reform, and that means without a functioning state that should finally be established after the next elections, and that means functional governments, every door to Europe will be closed. And the EPP and I want that door to open, we want to fight for the BiH candidate status. BiH deserves that. When I travel to BiH, I do not go anywhere abroad, but rather to Europe and the future EU member. We in the EPP really believe in that. Many friends, including Andrej Plenković, are the first to fight hard for BiH's candidate status, but the precondition is that we solve the problems. That is why I literally called on everyone I spoke to in Sarajevo - don't leave the table until you reach the agreement. Otherwise, BiH will have its doors closed to the EU for a long time“, Weber asserted.

He also pointed out that there are different views towards this region and BiH.

„But I want to reiterate that, for us, the foundation is Dayton with three peoples, and the majorities must pay special attention to those who are less numerous. In this case, it is the protection of Croats' interests“, Weber declared.

Without changes to the Election Law, he added, BiH cannot talk about candidate status or the enlargement process.

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20. travanj 2024 08:08