Sumario: October 23, 2002: Statement by H.E. Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Løj, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN, on behalf of the European Union, at the public meeting of the Security Council. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (New York)
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the associated countries - Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, as well as the EFTA country of the European Economic Area - Iceland, align themselves with this statement.
At the outset I would like to thank the High Representative Paddy Ashdown and SRSG Jacques Klein for their briefings. They reinforce the impression of continued progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but at the same time stress that there are still major tasks to be accomplished in the coming months. Reforms have to be undertaken to put Bosnia and Herzegovina irreversibly on the road to closer European integration.
Mr. President,
Bosnia and Herzegovina went to the ballots on 5 October. Seven years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, politicians were elected for the first time for a period of four years. It was also the first time the Bosnians authorities assumed responsibility for the election process themselves. The European Union commends the electoral authorities for their professional organization of the elections, which were carried out in a peaceful manner.
At the same time the European Union regrets the low participation in the elections, which the High Representative has characterized as a protest vote. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown their disappointment with the inadequate progress to create change and build a better future. It is a call for a more efficient political system and faster economic and social reforms. Thus, the European Union urges the rapid formation of effective governments, which are genuinely committed to
increasing the pace of the reform process. The European Union would like to reconfirm its strong commitment to actively assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in this effort.
To a much greater extent than before all countries in the region should take responsibility for their own development. This applies to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. With aid falling, and debt mounting, economic reforms have become more urgent than ever to attract the much-needed foreign investments to fill the gap. The European Union, together with other institutions and fora, such as the Stability Pact, has considerably supported the reform process in the region. Political elites as well as
the general public have to identify with the reform processes bringing them closer to Europe. The International Community must continue to support this process.
Mr. President,
The existence of organized crime and corruption prevents the roots of progress and democratic developments from taking hold. Organized crime is a threat to the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and to social progress and economic reform. Organized crime is in other words a threat to security and stability. Unless these destructive structures are broken down the international efforts to promote democracy and economic development will not be sustainable.
The fight against organized crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as in the Western Balkan as a whole is therefore high on the agenda for the European Union. Together with the United Kingdom the European Union is preparing a Conference on Organized Crime in South Eastern Europe. The conference will take place in London on 25 November and will be a good opportunity for the countries in the region to live up to their commitments and set clear targets in order to strengthen the fight against
organized crime.
Mr. President,
The International Community has identified the following priority areas that are crucial for the reform process in Bosnia Herzegovina: rule of law, institution-building, economy, as well as refugee return and reconstruction. Though progress has been made, much remains to be done to invigorate the pace of reform. Strengthening the rule of law should be the guiding principle for the whole chain of reforms. Developing a well-functioning state administration and judiciary are prerequisites for the
stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The European Union fully supports High Representative Paddy Ashdown in his "Justice and Jobs" program, and we commend the results already achieved in this field. Reform in the economic sector is key to prosperity for Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular with a view to creating jobs and raising personal incomes, which will lead to tangible improvements in living standards. Restarting the economy and creating sustainable development through the adoption of structural reforms should be a priority
in the work of the future Government. The implementation of these reforms will be a precondition for continued international financial assistance.
The rule of law approach also includes full cooperation with the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) by all states and parties of the region. This constitutes a non-negotiable requirement of international law. In this regard, access to witnesses and archives are essential.
The European Union remains determined to bring all indicted of war crimes to justice. The continuing impunity of persons, indicted on various counts of genocide, must end. The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as of both entities must spare no effort to locate, arrest and transfer such persons to the custody of the International Tribunal.
Mr. President,
The European Union emphasizes the need for a sustainable solution to the issue of displaced persons. In recent years there has been a steady improvement in the return figures. In 2002 alone there have been more than 60.000 registered returns resulting in a total of almost 900.000 returnees. Still more needs to be done in order to create a favorable climate towards acceptance of returnees. The European Union therefore strongly regrets local obstruction to returns and urges all authorities in
Bosnia and Herzegovina to honor their commitment to address outstanding legal and administrative issues in this regard. The adequate attribution of resources by the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities towards the sustainability of refugee and IDP return is of the utmost importance.
Mr. President,
The European Union noted with satisfaction that the mandate of the UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) has been prolonged until the end of the year. UNMIBH has now after seven years successfully fulfilled its mandate in the area of police reform and restructuring. The prolongation will ensure an orderly transition between the UN Mission and the EU Police Mission (EUPM), which will take over on 1 January 2003. I am happy to inform you that the "Status of Forces Agreement" between the
European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina relating to EUPM was signed in Sarajevo earlier this month, enabling the immediate follow-on by this mission when UNMIBH ends its work.
In this context, the European Union would like to stress the importance of enhanced cooperation and coordination between different international actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the Stabilization and Association Agreement and the EUPM, the European Union will continue to work with the authorities and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina on their endeavours to build a well-functioning multi-ethnic society.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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