YouSaid · the spoken record

Dragan Čović

lines on the record: 57
first: 2003-09-24
most recent: 2017-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Allow me to conclude with a reminder that all of our needs — economic, social, security, political and cultural — can be very diverse, as are our possibilities for achieving them. The choices we make every day to ensure prosperity for our people also vary from one Member State to another. I am convinced that the future of humankind will largely depend on our ability to turn our differences into advantages. We expect the United Nations system to guide us in that and to assist us, above all, in building a system based on unity in diversity.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“However, it is with concern that I wish to draw the Assembly’s attention to the fact that my country is going through a period of important challenges. I am deeply convinced that one people in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot be happy and prosperous if the other two are not, and indeed if all other people living in our country are not. In that regard, I believe that it is up to us in Bosnia and Herzegovina to make a crucial step to adopt changes to our electoral legislation by the end of this year, in accordance with the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As in the past, we expect understanding and support of the international community in solving the issue, because it is of vital importance for further democratizing and achieving our full integration into the European Union.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is now doing everything it can to speed up its progress to where it really belongs, within the framework of a strong European family, whose values it shares. Reform and other processes that we are pursuing for that purpose are not always simple or easy, but we see them as a unique opportunity to accelerate the harmonization of our economic, social and institutional development with what awaits us tomorrow in the European Union. We will therefore continue to fulfil the obligations we have undertaken in order to reach the status of candidate by the beginning of 2018 with true commitment, which will be a powerful and much needed boost to internal consolidation and the further acceleration of integration processes.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“On our own, but also with the unselfish help of our European friends, we do everything we can to find as many opportunities for open dialogue as possible, and we use each of those opportunities to build even more trust and mutually beneficial connections for our people, who, despite difficulties and complicated times, have more common links and interests than we, their leaders, are sometimes willing to recognize. Reconciliation, trust, partnership and cooperation among all of us, in contexts both broad and narrow, must become living and long-term principles for a stable and secure future. Commitment to regional initiatives and constructive action through the regional organizations to which we belong are therefore high on the list of our foreign-policy priorities.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We are proud of our participation in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Cyprus, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali. We consider that to be the most direct contribution of Bosnia and Herzegovina to building world peace. We also see our involvement in United Nations missions as a way to do things that are possible today but that not long ago were almost impossible to even imagine, and so to help people in areas affected by conflicts. Bosnia and Herzegovina has learned lessons from its difficult past, and for the future it has chosen to follow the principles set by the founders of the European Union 60 years ago. We have adopted the European path, and, choosing between cooperation and confrontation, we chose and will always choose cooperation in the search for common compromises.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Again, much of the responsibility for prevention lies at other levels. Within our communities, we must counter all symptoms of trouble and conflicts. We must correct social injustice, reconcile what seems irreconcilable, persevere in compromise, strive for pluralistic and inclusive solutions, give equal weight to our own rights and those of others and constantly seek ways to find a common language. I believe that prevention and mediation, as well as conflict management techniques and conflict resolution in divided societies, should be applied first within the region at issue, with regional actors who generally better understand the opposing sides, their reasoning and their different views of the problem.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Environments in which young people have limited access to education, economic development and decision-making processes are subject to frustration, social unrest and instability. For that reason, a significant part of the reform processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina is dedicated to creating conditions for reducing youth unemployment, corresponding to targets 8.5 and 8.6 of Goal 8 of the 2030 Agenda. Unfortunately, in Bosnia and Herzegovina we know all too much about the high price of war. For us, preventive diplomacy is a tool that, when used at the right time, can help ensure that wars are never repeated anywhere. There are many reasons why, on a global level, the United Nations system must be at the heart of all activities that use preventive measures in order to resolve crises and prevent people from being displaced from their homes.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Although we are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in implementing the provisions of the historic Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, we are also aware of the areas where it is possible and necessary to do considerably more. We will certainly continue to invest in additional efforts to strengthen and empower Bosnian women and girls in accordance with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Another social group that deserves special attention is young people, who are a constant source of change and an incubator of inventive solutions to the problems we inherit from the past. When healthy, educated, and employed, they are the engine that drives our societies forward.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In that connection, we have fully understood and accepted the strong interconnectedness of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. We have ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and have chosen to follow its guidelines. It is a debt to our children and to the planet that has to be unconditionally fulfilled. Whether in our past, present or future, women in my country hold high positions that rightfully and naturally belong to them. The role of women is vital to the development and prosperity of the family as well as of society as a whole. In post-conflict environments, women are always the first to extend the hand of reconciliation. In times of great challenges and risks, we need the strength and natural ability of women more than ever in order to pursue peaceful solutions.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“The roles have been defined, the goals are clear and coordination has been established. For us, as well as for other developing countries burdened by the discrepancies between wishes and possibilities, strong political will and decisive practical steps in the right direction will not always be enough. Fulfilling the noble and ambitious Sustainable Development Goals requires knowledge and norms that many Member States do not have. It might produce an additional burden on the already overburdened State budgets. Assistance in formulating strategies and policies, transferring technologies, providing financial resources and measuring progress is therefore indisputably crucial, along with, of course, countries’ full ownership of the implementation processes.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are therefore still prerequisites for the global peace and security that we all strive for. In that context, Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the strong condemnation of the nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We also call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply without delay, fully and unconditionally, with its obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions. My faith in the value of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is as strong today as it was two years ago, when we adopted it. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it has received due institutional attention, based on its significance and the nobility of the goals it sets for us.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Furthermore, we fully share the view that for the long- term eradication of the evil of terrorism and violent 17-29389 13/27 extremism, it is necessary to continuously invest in efforts along the entire spectrum of interconnected areas, from the eradication of injustice, inequality, poverty and a lack of freedom to improving understanding among those who differ, and to strengthen intercultural dialogue and generally accepted democratic values. Once we start thinking that we have done enough in all those areas, we need to start again and redouble our efforts. A world without the threat of the total destruction of humankind is less utopian if there are fewer means and arms for destruction.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“For our part, we are ready to constantly strengthen cooperation at the regional, subregional and international levels, especially in the areas of information collection and exchange. As a member of the Global Coalition against Da’esh, we will continue to support the Coalition’s efforts to liberate entire communities and help them recover from the suffering and harm imposed by Da’esh and its global network. Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to the full implementation of all Security Council resolutions aimed at bringing persons involved in financing, planning, preparing or executing terrorist acts to justice.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Destructive forces have always had deep roots and many different faces, but there can be no justification for their existence. We need united, concentrated efforts, along with a multidimensional and integrated approach, to overcome terrorism and permanently eliminate the fear of terror from our communities. Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to contribute to the full implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the activities of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. We particularly welcome the efforts of Secretary-General António Guterres in strengthening the counter- terrorism capacities of the United Nations and, in that regard, the establishment of the new Office of Counter- Terrorism.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“It is therefore essential that we steadfastly recall the ultimate goal, which is the existence of two States, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side, in safety and within recognized borders. Bosnia and Herzegovina still believes that this goal can be achieved if both parties can fulfil their obligations as set forth in the relevant Security Council resolutions, the Madrid principles and the Arab Peace Initiative. Evil has existed throughout human history. Sometimes it is on the margins of our communities. Sometimes, to a greater or lesser degree, it is inside them. It does not always take the same form or manifest itself with the same intensity. Terrorism is undoubtedly the greatest evil of our times, and its form and strength represent the greatest threat we have to international peace and security.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“That process must be owned by the Syrian people alone, based on the Geneva communiqué (S/2012/522, annex), and with the assistance of the international community and the United Nations, led by the Special Envoy for Syria, whose selfless efforts to continue the negotiations in Geneva are highly appreciated. It seems superfluous to repeat that there can be no peace and prosperity for the Israeli people if the same is not provided for the Palestinians, and vice versa. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents the most serious unresolved problem in the Middle East, and the current absence of any negotiations between the parties is disturbing. Both nations deserve better. Again — and this has been the case for decades — the journey towards peace has been too slow and has become more and more complex.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“We continue to witness and to be deeply concerned about the ongoing suffering of the Syrian people. Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns every form of violence against Syria’s civilian population. The violence must stop. The dignity of every Syrian woman, man and child, and of every Syrian refugee, must be restored. Their belief in the possibility of recovery and opportunities for a new life must also be restored. We and many other delegations in this Hall today will continue to call for a peaceful and political solution to the conflict through negotiations.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“In a world dominated by uncertainty and insecurity, it is simply not possible to overstate the importance of the principles and the multilateral framework defined for us by the founders of the United Nations. The strength of the Organization lies in both our individual and shared strengths in our efforts to eradicate diseases, hunger, terrorism and every other threat to human existence. In doing so, of course, we must admit to ourselves how necessary and important it is to use thoughtful and constructive measures to bring the United Nations system closer to its surroundings and enable it to adapt so that it can anticipate the challenges its environment presents and respond to them with a force that is far stronger than the simple sum of our individual abilities.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“I would first like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on the task you have just embarked on in leading the General Assembly at its seventy-second session. I am convinced that your tact and diplomacy, which we in Bosnia and Herzegovina have witnessed first-hand, will help the most important body of the United Nations make new progress and effectively face new challenges. My gratitude also goes to the outgoing President for the leadership he showed during the seventy-first session. I would also like to join others in congratulating His Excellency Mr. António Guterres on his appointment as Secretary-General of the United Nations. His noble and wise intention to devote more attention to building bridges to connect us all in the years ahead will certainly have all of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s support.”
2017-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 72 (2017)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina remains fully committed to the paramount ideals of freedom, dignity and economic development for all nations and for the world, ideals that should be enjoyed by every living being on the planet.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Therefore, along with the other Member States, we place our hopes on the upcoming twenty-first session o fthe Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December. We also call upon the parties to the Convention to redouble their 15-29658 3/55 A/70/PV.22 01/10/2015 efforts in order to reach a legally binding universal climate change agreement. Finally, we realize that the United Nations will need to undergo change in order to continue to be able to respond to our increasingly complex requests and expectations. The seventieth anniversary is an occasion for celebration, as well as for critical consideration and reaffirmation of the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Climate change determines not only our future but also that of our children and their descendants. We have felt the consequences of global climate change in Bosnia and Herzegovina, notably in the past year during the devastating floods, when many of our citizens were forced to leave their homes. Unlike many other parts of our planet, Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich in large quantities of clean, potable water, which is becoming increasingly invaluable and rare in the world we live in. However, that fact is something that we can no longer take for granted, especially when we realize how helpless and weak we are before the forces of nature and the countless abuses that we have subjected our environment to.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In the light of the benefits and advantages that our diversity creates, acknowledged even in harsh times, we know precisely how important it is to protect all individual and collective rights and to bring them into mutual harmony in line with the relevant international human rights standards. We attach great importance to regional cooperation, and we are fully committed to building good relations with our neighbours on the basis of the principles of friendship and openness. We are aware that that is the only path to stability in the region of South-East Europe, which has often been turbulent in the past. Solely on that foundation can all countries in the region attain a full European perspective. Although not at the top of today’s list of priorities for Bosnia and Herzegovina, climate change is among the most important globally.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Our candidacy for membership in the Economic and Social Council for the period 2017-2019 should be viewed in that light. We are taking part in the general efforts to achieve a better and more unified world through those and similar activities. Our commitment to full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the strengthening of democracy and multicultural dialogue and our respect for ethnic, cultural and religious diversity are unquestionable. In that regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina will spare no efforts to combat all forms of discrimination and intolerance against members of any part of society, as enshrined in our Constitution. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a complex, multi-ethnic State.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Today, we are intensively working on implementing a reform agenda aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions and the rule of law in our country. At the same time, we are implementing the obligations that we have accepted under the Stabilization and Association Agreement of the European Union, the first of its kind for my country with the European Union, which came into force four months ago. The next step for my country is to submit its membership application and achieve the status of a candidate country. At the same time, we are working to build a society that is fair and equitable and that offers parity. I can assure the Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s strong belief that our past experiences and the lessons learned can contribute to solving numerous challenges at both the regional and the international levels.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Today, in the light of the events that my country has endured, we are convinced that women can be a major factor in reconciliation as well. We will therefore invest still greater efforts into advancing women’s interests, primarily as the best way to heal our society, mend what was broken, strengthen the family and enable women’s further development on the basis of full equality. As a member of the Executive Board of UN-Women, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to invest efforts in promoting human rights at the international level, particularly through the strengthening of the status of women in accordance with the Beijing Platform for Action and the Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Exactly 20 years ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved a long-desired peace.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Following the suggestions of the United Nations, Bosnia and Herzegovina has had a significant participation of female police officers among our peacekeeping mission personnel; they now account for more than 20 per cent of the total number of our mission personnel. While our contribution to peacekeeping operations, in terms of numbers, is not as large as some participating countries with far larger military and police forces, we are very proud of the bravery of our Bosnia and Herzegovina police officers in peacekeeping missions around the world. The degree of equality of women and girls compared to men with regard to certain rights has remained at a high level for decades in my country. We have always considered women to be the pillars of the family and communities and the bearers of our society’s development.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has endeavoured to share its vast experience in peacebuilding and democratic transition, particularly through our membership since January 2014 in the Organizational Committee of the Peacebuilding Commission. We support all activities and peace initiatives aimed at conflict prevention, and we actively contribute to collective security on a global scale. By participating in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Cyprus, 2/55 15-29658 01/10/2015 A/70/PV.22 Somalia, Afghanistan, the Congo and Mali, we contribute in the most direct way to maintaining and building world peace.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the extremely important agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, reached in Vienna in July 2015. We believe that that historic agreement is evidence of the true superiority of diplomatic efforts and the parties’ determination to find a peaceful solution. The agreement can serve as a guideline for the resolution of other crisis situations. Undoubtedly, the United Nations offers a guarantee of collective responsibility and security, notably through the greater use of preventive diplomacy and mediation, solid and carefully planned mandates for peacekeeping operations, and instruments for building lasting peace.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“A limited military response, when used as the only instrument in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, has accomplished only short-lived results. Along with decisive, thorough, dedicated and well-coordinated military action, there must be a comprehensive strategy and holistic approach to combating violent extremism and terrorism, which should be aimed at addressing the root causes of the phenomenon. Among other measures, reducing poverty and inequality, improving education and providing opportunities to young generations are extremely important, even crucial. Furthermore, eliminating the effects of prejudice and xenophobia in our societies and communities also remains essential, if we wish to counter the spread of the ideology of violent extremism.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As the Chair of the Council of Europe, our country leads the Council’s actions in the fight against terrorism, particularly through strengthening the legal framework, pursuant to the provisions of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014). The adoption of the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, adopted by the Committee of Ministers in May 2015, is a significant step in the fight against terrorism. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of article 7 of the Additional Protocol, which provides for the parties to exchange information among the designated points of contact available on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The ideology of such groups, which is characterized by an absolute disregard for human life, is seriously undermining the fundamental values and achievements of civilization. Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the full implementation of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy and the work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the activities of which have already shown results in strengthening intergovernmental cooperation and improving the capacity of individual Member States in that area. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a member of the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, established in 2014 and led by the United States, and it is one of the countries providing material assistance to the Government of Iraq as part of that effort.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We are very concerned about the political destabilization of that country and the deterioration in the security and humanitarian situation there, which have, to date, taken on intolerable proportions in that country. We call on all sides to come to a peaceful settlement of all the outstanding issues in order to establish a lasting peace and to allow, without delay, the distribution of humanitarian aid to the civilian population. In that context, the safety of the humanitarian-aid staff and the United Nations staff must be ensured. As for the situation in Ukraine, we hope that the parties to that conflict will adhere to the peace agreement reached in Minsk as the basis for a lasting solution. Terrorism and violent extremism are, without any doubt, the most serious of all the challenges we face today.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“At the same time, it is a warning to us that we must find urgent and effective solutions. We are therefore very concerned at the deterioration in the devastating conflict in Syria, which continues to destabilize the region and presents an extremely serious threat to international peace and security. Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns the unspeakable suffering and torture that the Syrian people are being subjected to. In that regard, we support the efforts of the Secretary-General, the United Nations and the broader international community to find a political and peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria. We believe that it is essential that the political transition in Syria be conducted in accordance with the Geneva communiqué of 2012 (S/2012/522, annex). We are also carefully monitoring the situation in Yemen.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Not long ago, the refugee and the migrant crisis of the Syrian people materialized on our country’s own borders and reminded us that events in other places and regions and events at our own borders are closely intertwined and inseparable in today’s global environment. The number of refugees and displaced persons fleeing destruction and death, leaving their homes and seeking a safe haven, is increasing literally each hour. For the majority of countries, the waves of refugees that arrive confront them with a heavier burden than they are able to manage. In addition, the tragedies involving innocent victims — especially and unforgivably children — place a great sense of responsibility not only on individual States, but also on the entire international community. They also test the limits of human solidarity and empathy.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The anniversary that we are celebrating also offers us an opportunity to analyse and evaluate the degree of progress that we have made individually and collaboratively in achieving the objectives set out in the Charter of the United Nations. We do that in the context of today’s highly dynamic global environment, which continues to bring in new challenges. Those challenges are many, and it is increasingly difficult to predict the consequences of our failure to address them effectively. The crisis in Syria was, until only recently, merely a crisis in one country in one region of the Middle East.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Six days ago, world leaders, who gathered in this very Hall, brought to life a new vision of a just and sustainable world, free from poverty, fear and oppression. We agreed that our achievements, as well as our mistakes and failures, of the past decades formed a sufficiently solid foundation to transform the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) into a reality, rather than a utopia. The determination and unity that we have demonstrated in creating and adopting the new Agenda have a special symbolism this year as we mark the seventieth anniversary of the Organization that continues to bring us all together, big and small countries alike, and has never ceased to be a beacon of hope in times of despair.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a State well on its way to being part of Europe, with the ambition to create an environment where the return of refugees and displaced persons will not be halted for political or economic reasons, but will be encouraged for reasons of economic prosperity and sustainability that will be achieved through the efforts of all of us.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Next year, from 15 to 17 May 2004 in Sarajevo, we are planning to host the Second Intergovernmental Conference for Children in Europe and Central Asia, together with the Government of Germany and the United Nations Children's Fund. The Conference is the continuation of regional consultations held in Berlin in 2001, and the 2002 General Assembly special session devoted to children. Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a sustainable State, albeit with the generous contributions and assistance from the international community, the United Nations and its most prominent leading figures, including the late Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello, who will be remembered in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the head of Civil Affairs of the United Nations mission. We remain ever so grateful to those who lent us their hands in times of need and despair.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We are already participating in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Timor-Leste. We are ready to send our transport unit, military observers and civilian police officers to Liberia. By the year 2009, we are planning to fulfil the conditions set forth for EU membership, fully committed to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina based on stability, the rule of law, democracy and a market economy. We are gradually becoming recognized for our implementation of democratic and economic reforms and for harmonizing our priorities with international standards.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“This Bosnia and Herzegovina has its destiny in the hands of its own citizens and is on the road of no return towards European integration, with more power in the engine of its own institutions and less power in the tow truck of the United Nations High Representative. Above all, this Bosnia and Herzegovina has a constitution cut out to the measure of its peoples and to each and every citizen. Allow me to conclude by looking into the future. We have presented our candidature for membership in the Security Council for 2010, reaffirming our commitment to build a State that may share its positive experience and participate actively in the world's peace-building, by that time, we hope, within the system of a reformed and reinvigorated United Nations.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“The international community expressed its readiness to support democratic processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and we, the elected authorities, have made our choice through reforms that have as their aim a modern Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are committed to taking ownership, to bearing more responsibilities. During his 16 months in office, the High Representative imposed in the first eight months twice as many laws as he did in the second. We are pleased to note the trend of reduction of imposed laws this year, but our ultimate goal is a Bosnia and Herzegovina that is a member of the EU.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Next year we also plan to finalize the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar, where we are planning once again to celebrate the reunion of both banks of the river and its people. This is our way of sending a global message to all civilizations: this bridge is built of versatile cultural materials, it is an alloy of various traditions and it is the paradigm of a 4 solution that is possible and evident despite the conflicts and differences in the world. I hereby invite you to make use of this opportunity and make this bridge a symbol of unity for the next year. Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were held almost a year ago. This time, the international community fully supported the election results.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Furthermore, particularly during recent days, we have been finalizing the reforms of the armed forces and the State intelligence service, having realized that a modern security system is a pre-condition for Bosnia and Herzegovina's full participation in common security arrangements, through membership in the Partnership for Peace and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. At this moment we attach paramount importance to reforms and the modernization of the educational system in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is our firm belief that, by caring for the individual and by ensuring the collective right to get an education in one's own language and alphabet, we will enhance mutual dialogue and tolerance, in order to preserve the multicultural society of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Nevertheless, we must not lie back, we must further accelerate the process of economic reforms. The continuation of the privatization process and further reforms of the judicial system are of utmost importance for creating a more secure business environment in order to open the country to direct foreign investments. We are in the process of rearranging and simplifying the tax system through the establishment of a single custom system and a value-added tax, thus eliminating corruption and white-collar crime. In order to encourage the entire process of the creation of an investment-friendly environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in February 2004 we will be hosting an international investment conference in Mostar, where we will present the new economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We have to make additional efforts, with the assistance of the international community, to at least give the opportunity to grieving families to discover the whereabouts of their loved ones, what happened to them, where they were buried, and to identify their remains and lay them to rest with dignity. Allow me to point out that Bosnia and Herzegovina is now a much better place for business than it was a year ago, due to the reforms completed during this year in particular. I would like to mention the example of the Bulldozer Committee that redrafted 50 laws and regulations that were discouraging private initiative and suffocating any sense for business. Having created a more favourable legal framework and business environment, Bosnia and Herzegovina has become a better place for investment opportunities and employment.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“Together with other countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina intends to actively tackle this issue, which represents a threat to the entire civilized world. Fully committed to this fight, we in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the assistance of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which successfully completed its mission last December, have established one of the most modern state border services. In addition, we have improved the legal framework and we are fighting actively against the trafficking of women and children, this modern form of slavery. Our efforts have recently been recognized by the United States Government, and as result, we have been moved to category B. The issue of missing persons is particularly sensitive and difficult for Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“I am convinced that Bosnia and Herzegovina will succeed in the process of strengthening joint institutions and in establishing a strong legal framework. We are committed to fulfil all Bosnia and Herzegovina's international obligations, particularly those related to cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, participation in the world's fight against organized crime, respect of human rights, return of refugees and displaced persons, full implementation of property laws and the return of property to its rightful owners. Our absolute priority is the fight against terrorism and organized crime, and, at the international level, we are of the view that the United Nations and the Security Council should play the leading role in that fight.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“We are content with the positive steps taken, both in the stabilization and in the overall development of the Balkan region and integration of the Western Balkans into the Euro-Atlantic structures. I am pleased that mutually harmonized agreements and joint priorities are being fully supported by the EU, by the Stability Pact, by many friendly countries in the world and by international financial and other organizations. I am all the more pleased in view of the fact that the 3 countries of the region confirm their readiness and commitments to mutual cooperation and the building of good neighbourly and regional relations. I must stress the fact that there are still many open issues and incomplete tasks in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)
“This comes as a result of the decision of the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities to take their destiny into their own hands and to respond to major challenges such as the fight against organized crime and corruption, the strengthening of institutions, conducting legal system reforms, implementation of structural reforms and reduction of the unemployment rate. We are committed to following the path of proven success strategies in order to overcome as soon as possible our difficult heritage from the past and to start building, with mutual understanding, a modern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Only in this way may we pass on to future generations the message of worldwide peace and development, based on mutual understanding and tolerance. This year Bosnia and Herzegovina took over the chairmanship of the South East European Cooperation Process.”
2003-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 58 (2003)