Veleposlanik Ranko Vilovic, privremeni otpravnik poslova Stalne misije RH pri Ujedinjenim narodima, održao je govor na raspravi Vijeca sigurnosti UN-a u svezi situacije u Bosni i Hercegovini.
Mr. President, allow me to extend our welcome H.E. Nikola špiric, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thank him for his statement. We would also like to extend our welcome to the High Representative and EU Special Representative H. E. Valentin Inzko and to thank him for his briefing today - his first in the new role. I would like to ensure Mr. Inzko of Croatia's full support in his new position, and to wish him every success in fulfilling his mandate.
Croatia has aligned itself with the statement to be delivered by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union. Here, I would like to make some additional comments.
In December 2008, when this Council was discussing the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the then High Representative Miroslav Lajcak, we warned that despite some important progress on the reforms that enabled Bosnia and Herzegovina to sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union on June 16, 2008 – which was Bosnia and Herzegovina's first contractual relationship with the European Union – that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina has slid under the radar and that new focus on the part of the international community was urgently needed.
Today we note that the report informs us that limited progress has been achieved on the implementation of reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including ones necessary for the transition from the OHR to the European Office. We are concerned with this assessment of the High Representative about the current situation in the country, where “nationalist, anti-Dayton rhetoric challenging the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order has played a dominant role” in the reporting period, “despite an effort of the three political leaders to open a process of dialogue and compromise”.
It has been our long-standing position that the impasse in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be overcome only through a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue that would include all three constituent peoples on the entire territory of the country. This is also closely linked with the reforms needed to bring Bosnia and Herzegovina closer on the path of integration to the EU, and will also benefit the fulfillment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's other international obligations. It is particularly important that the dialogue on constitutional reforms intensifies, under the reinvigorated and more focused guidance of the international community and with additional and firm support given and ensured to the High Representative.
Mr. President, as we can see, Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing considerable problems, and these problems, some of which are challenging the very foundations of Bosnia and Herzegovina as established by the Dayton Accords, especially its territorial integrity, can only have a detrimental effect on its future.
However, by the same token, it should be underlined that any constructive engagement and intention to improve the current situation and remedy the fundamental problems that support the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be welcomed and encouraged.
On this point, we wish to reiterate that the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on the respect of the equal rights for all three constituent peoples, Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats. We have stated on several occasions that there cannot be a Bosnia and Herzegovina without the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their political and cultural survival is vital for the future and survival of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as their two elements are closely intertwined.
One needs to keep in mind the particular situation of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the smallest and most vulnerable group of the three nations here, their voice must be considered on a basis of equality – both ethnic and civic – as it is guaranteed in the Constitution and stems from the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
All three peoples – Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats – must feel that Bosnia and Herzegovina is their country and they should feel safe and protected over the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as their civic and ethnic rights should be protected throughout, as should be their right to return to their pre-war homes.
Another important factor in the normalization of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the fight against impunity for war crimes committed. We would like to stress that all ICTY fugitives who are still at large need to be arrested as well as to The Hague as soon as possible.
And finally, Croatia has always supported Bosnia and Herzegovina's clear and unambiguous European perspective. The future of all countries in Southeast Europe belongs in the European Union, and we will do our utmost to help our neighbors exercise this most beneficial option for their overall development, as this is the best guarantee for sustainable peace, security and prosperity for all the countries and people of Southeast Europe.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Priopćenja
