I would like to thank you, High Representative Valentin Inzko for your 24th regular report to the Secretary-General, since assuming your post in 2009. We commend your work, in particular, as the tasks you tackle remain closer to 100% although your team’s size and budget has decreased over these years considerably. Estonia would like to state its full support for a robust and effective Office of High Representative which is necessary in order to fulfil its mandated responsibilities.
In addition, we align ourselves with the European Union statement to be delivered later. EUFOR Althea is a strong contributor to the country’s work in maintaining a safe and secure environment, and we fully support its continued executive mandate.
It is concerning that the authorities of the Republika Srpska have continued divisive rhetoric and resorted to frequent actions targeting the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and even its constitution. All political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina should refrain from any actions or policies that could destabilize the country. It is high time to put aside the differences and focus on uniting to face the common challenges.
As we learned from the High Representative’s last report, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the BiH economy, with serious and potentially long-lasting consequences. Estonia stands in strong support of the EU’s solidarity with the Western Balkans and its mobilization of the substantial financial support-package of 3.3 billion euros to help the region overcome the COVID-19 crisis. We commend the work and support of all others, such as the UN Resident Coordinator and the UNDP, who have provided assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina during pandemic.
This July, we commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. The downplaying of this tragic historical event in any way is unacceptable. Spreading nationalist and provocative rhetoric, denying war crimes, or glorifying convicted war criminals is not in line with country’s Euro-Atlantic perspective.
We welcome the adoption of the revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers and encourage authorities its implementation.
A functioning Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court is of vital strategic importance for the country and we fully support its members, particularly its international judges. We call on all political parties in the country to implement important decisions of the before mentioned Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights. We strongly underline the need for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s authorities to work towards strengthening the rule of law, fight against corruption and implement binding judicial decisions.
We hope that the Municipal Elections on the 15th of November in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be free and fair. We welcome the progress made during past few months, in particular, the adoption of legislative amendments for local elections in Mostar, which must lead to their organization on December 20, for the first time since 2008, is a major achievement.
Estonia is certain that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future is adjoined with the Euro-Atlantic path, in line with the legitimate aspiration of its citizens. We stress the importance to continue with the implementation of the 14 key priorities of the European Commission’s Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership of the European Union.
To move forward, all political leaders of the country should deliver concrete results and implement fundamental reforms. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace, we call on all levels of government to work in solidarity and unity.
Thank you!