Minister Grlić Radman attends conference on “Transformative Potential of Euro-Atlantic Processes in BiH”

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday attended an international conference on the “Transformative Potential of Euro-Atlantic Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina”...

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday attended an international conference on the “Transformative Potential of Euro-Atlantic Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” organized by the University of Mostar, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in BiH and Croatian Rectors’ Conference. The event was attended by a number of high officials from the Republic of Croatia, including Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, diplomatic corps representatives, as well as experts from BiH and around the world. The conference featured three panels, discussing BiH foreign policy priorities such as EU and NATO accession towards membership, as well as other challenges of democratic processes in the country.

Grlić Radman attended the panel on “How to overcome the Post-Conflict Character of BiH Society with EU and NATO Integration.” 

“The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with their political leaders, civil society, the rich, the poor, entrepreneurs and the unemployed – they all want to live in a prosperous country,” the minister said, recalling that inclusivity and democratic legitimacy were the precondition for the prosperity of all three constituent peoples and citizens of BiH, as well as the path to Euro-Atlantic integration. “We have to ensure legitimate political representation of the constituent peoples and all citizens. The EU and NATO membership is not a goal in itself, but a tool for transformation and development – which includes comprehensive democratic and economic reforms in alignment with fundamental European values,” he said.

Grlić Radman underlined that BiH and all of its constituent peoples and citizens enjoy Croatia’s full support for the country’s EU journey and closer cooperation with NATO. “As its only EU neighbour, Croatia is BiH’s most determined advocate. Knowing full well what the continuation of the Euro-Atlantic journey would mean for a country that has suffered so much, we want BiH to be granted candidate status as soon as possible. In addition, stronger ties with NATO will make the country, and consequently the whole region, safer and more stable,” the minister said.

Describing the way in which BiH’s European journey could continue, Grlić Radman underlined that it was crucial to amend the election law, ensure the legitimacy of elected representatives and eliminate discrimination in the election process, in line with European values. “The answer is in the reform of the election process, which should ensure legitimate political representation of the constituent peoples and the political rights of all citizens. In order for this fundamental democratic standard to be achieved, it is crucial to reform the election law within the next six months at latest, well before the general election of 2022,” stressed the minister.

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