Pusić: I’m certain reform agenda in BiH will be signed

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels commented the decision by the parliament of Republika Srpska to call a referendum...

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels commented the decision by the parliament of Republika Srpska to call a referendum that would bring into question the existence of the Bosnian State Court and State Prosecutor's Office.

“I think we are going towards somehow agreeing that this idea should be scrapped because the consequence is de facto bringing into question the BiH Constitution and everything else Dayton brought. The focus should be on BiH and Republika Srpska signing an agreement to begin the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement,” Pusić said, adding that the agreement was crucial.

Asked to commend whether BiH was moving backwards on the European path, Pusić said nobody expected things in to run smoothly, but one should not give up at the first obstacle. “One should remain focused on the goal, deal with such matters through talks, eliminate them and move towards the European Union,” she said. Pusić was certain that the reform agenda in BiH would be signed as it was the absolute will of the majority of its citizens and that that kind of pressure was recognized and accepted by the political elite as well.

As for Macedonia, Pusić said the country’s name had been on the agenda for a long time and that a solution had to be found, be it a compromise or keeping the somewhat awkward “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” for some time, and that some reforms processes geared toward EU and NATO membership be launched under that name. “I think this agreement is moving in that direction, as standing still actually means moving backwards, which is detrimental not only for Macedonia, but the region as a whole,” Pusić said.

Asked whether Croatia’s NATO member image would be harmed if few military delegations attended the military parade to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Operation Storm, Pusić said: “I don’t think it’s a blow to Croatia. Quite the contrary, we should stick to the Croatian army and organise it as a celebration with a parade of Croatian troops in the capital. That’s our business and whoever wants to take part in any form is welcome.”

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