YouSaid · the spoken record

Željko Komšić

lines on the record: 139
first: 2009-09-24
most recent: 2023-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
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

“Climate change is no longer a matter of warnings from the scientific community. It is a crisis situation that is already upon us. Finding answers to climate change is a costly process, but it will cost even more if we do not take the need to accelerate climate-change mitigation activities seriously. We have taken on that commitment because the survival of humankind, dependent as it is on mitigating temperature rise, is a value that we must defend at all costs. We did not choose that value; it chose us. I believe that, in the long run, this necessary response will cost the less developed and developing countries — the countries that continue to rely on energy derived from fossil fuels — the most. As a rule, those countries do not have sufficient capacity or resources to make a rapid and equitable transition to green energy sources.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The pandemic has changed the world and affected the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Under the new circumstances, the SDGs need to be seen in a whole new light. However, one of today’s most important issues, which is closely related to the notion that global society needs to fulfil the SDGs, is how to properly respond to the needs of the planet. Climate change and global warming, both visible and scientifically proven through the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), are key issues that are restricting the path to sustainable development. According to the 2018 IPCC special report, our efforts to slow global warming and combat climate change are generally not yielding the results we need to achieve by 2050, and this year’s report issues the same warning.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“At the same time, I would also like to emphasize the importance of bilateral cooperation and assistance from neighbouring or friendly countries, which in many regions, including my own, were the first countries to provide concrete aid and signs of solidarity — well before multilateral institutions could respond to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. That gave us hope and showed the importance of good bilateral relations. It also justified investing in regional cooperation capacities. Accordingly, I would like to commend some of the numerous regional organizations from the Western Balkans that have helped sustain the economy and facilitate the flow of people and basic goods under the new circumstances. I am primarily referring to the Central European Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Cooperation Council of South-Eastern Europe.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Multilateralism seemed to have collapsed. The gap between rich, developed countries, on the one hand, and less developed, poorer countries, on the other, has proven to be greater than ever in terms of access to medical equipment, medicines and vaccines. For the sake of social and economic recovery, the only thing left to do under such circumstances was to hope that the resilience of national economies and health systems, as well as international institutions, including the bodies of the United Nations, could combat the pandemic and discover and distribute vaccines.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“The topic of this year’s debate addresses many current issues that truly present some of the key challenges that affect the future path we will tread as a global society and as individual countries forming their own national and international policies. The degree of our commitment to prioritizing the common values we have chosen to protect will therefore determine we succeed in fulfilling our shared aspirations. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has taught us an important lesson on how easily the existing international system can be shaken, but it has also shown us on how strong and resilient our multilateral and international institutions must be for them to be able to respond to crisis situations. All of a sudden, international relations were threatened while human rights were restricted.”
2021-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 76 (2021)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina also supports the greater representation of African countries, as well as small and medium-sized developing countries, including the small island developing countries.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Reform of the United Nations system is necessary but such reform must be carried out with extreme care and the broadest consensus of Member States. Bosnia and Herzegovina shares the view that developing countries are underrepresented in the Security Council, which is an appropriate point to hear and discuss the specific issues and problems of developing countries. Given the sensitivity of the issue, Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to reaching a compromise solution. Given that the number of Eastern European countries has more than doubled, we expect the reformed Security Council to be expanded, with additional seats for non-permanent members of the Group of Eastern European States.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina fully cooperates with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which has taken over functions from the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, including judicial functions, the enforcement of sanctions, the relocation of released individuals and the protection of victims and witnesses. The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina remain committed to ensuring that all persons suspected of war crimes on the territory of the former Yugoslavia be brought to justice. Bosnia and Herzegovina hereby reaffirms its commitment to continuing negotiations on United Nations reform in accordance with the final document of the 2005 New York World Summit of Heads of State and Government (resolution 60/1).”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The rule of law and international law are firmly established in the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, which is the very foundation of the Organization. Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to promoting the rule of law at all levels, national, regional and international, and firmly committed to contributing towards the building, strengthening and full respect of international law, including human rights and international humanitarian law. I would therefore like to affirm that Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to respecting its international obligations. That is very important for our contribution to the comprehensive development, preservation and maintenance of peace and the promotion of human rights, fundamental freedoms and sustainable development.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina must provide for constitutional reforms as well as reforms of various laws in order to meet the European standard, which is the equality of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in all aspects of life. Such action will require the agreement of domestic political actors to remove obstacles to the continuation of the process of integration into the European Union. In the area of trafficking in human beings, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary action plan to combat trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2016-2019 aims to improve the support system for combating trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will further modernize the plan and prepare a new one for the coming period.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“That clearly demonstrates the commitment of the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to respect the human rights of all citizens who live there, as well as permanently resident aliens or aliens granted temporary residence on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with respect to all principles of mutual tolerance. However, as I said earlier, certain provisions providing for systemic discrimination remain in the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as established in the four judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, in the Sejdic-Finci, Zornic, Pilav and Slaku cases, as well as the European Commission’s Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership of the European Union.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The country programme 2015- 2019 between UNICEF and Bosnia and Herzegovina is particularly important, as it further contributes to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the development agenda beyond 2015. Racial discrimination, as well as other forms of discrimination, is insufficiently regulated by the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, such deviant phenomena are referenced through several features of criminal offences within the criminal legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as lower levels of Government.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Agreement obliges my country to hold everyone responsible, civilian or uniformed, for all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse in United Nations peacekeeping or other humanitarian operations, including support for a zero-tolerance policy towards such type of deviant behaviour. The international legal framework is the starting point to exercise the rights of a child, and the international Convention on the Rights of the Child is the fundamental instrument to determine the legal framework and policies of the countries that are parties to the Convention, which focus on addressing the issues of the rights of a child.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“As a sovereign country that attaches particular importance to peacekeeping missions, Bosnia and Herzegovina best demonstrates its participation and commitment to peacekeeping through its involvement in United Nations and NATO peacekeeping missions. Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the participation of women in peacekeeping missions. I would like to point out with particular pleasure that we are one of the few countries that has been fulfilling its stated goals for a long time, that is, more than 20 per cent of women participating in peacekeeping missions. I would particularly like to point out that the Agreement on the Suppression of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse was signed on 10 January between the United Nations and Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In accordance with the obligations arising from the provisions of the Security Council resolution 1540 (2004), regarding preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of transport, Bosnia and Herzegovina focuses on fulfilling its commitments, with an emphasis on strengthening dialogue and non-proliferation cooperation on mass destruction, as well as various forms of regional cooperation. Bosnia and Herzegovina explicitly opposes providing any support to non-State actors and entities seeking to develop, procure, produce, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of transfer. Furthermore, we actively and directly contribute to United Nations peacekeeping missions, one of the most visible components of the United Nations.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has either ratified or successively adopted the most significant international documents in this field and is ready for full cooperation with other countries, both within relevant multilateral organizations and initiatives, as well as bilaterally, in order to effectively combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of deployment. Bosnia and Herzegovina also advocates all general positions in terms of promoting and supporting all realistic and effective ideas that will lead to the ultimate goal, which is a world without nuclear weapons.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is of the principled view that the protection of civilians, respect for human rights and humanitarian law are necessary priorities in international relations. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s foreign policy is focused on maintaining and promoting lasting peace and security in all parts of the world. The activities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of international relations are based on the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act and other Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe documents, as well as generally accepted principles of international law.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bearing in mind the direct correlation between security and sustainable development and the central role of the United Nations in the process of peacebuilding and the creation of basic conditions for the development of post-conflict societies, I would like to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the United Nations direct activities in stabilizing post-conflict societies by building and strengthening institutions, especially those in the field of the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, security and reintegration and reconciliation processes. Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses its concern about the ongoing escalation of violence in the world, particularly in the Middle East. I take this opportunity to call for an end of combat activities and for the finding of peaceful solutions.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms and finds all acts of extremism and terrorism, regardless of their form, motivation and perpetrators, to be criminal and unjustifiable. Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to the full implementation of all Security Council resolutions aimed at bringing persons involved in the financing, planning, preparation or commission of terrorist acts to justice.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“It is of particular importance that all disputes be resolved peacefully, as stated in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, which expressly requires that disputes be resolved peacefully and with the goodwill to resolve them. General Assembly and Security Council resolutions represent one form of support for such peaceful settlement of various disputes between countries. Bosnia and Herzegovina continuously monitors such phenomena and, to the best of its ability, strengthens its capacities in the fight against terrorism, international crime and narcotics production and trafficking, as well as trafficking in human beings occurring within the framework of migration movements.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“One should not lose sight of the interactive interdependence and complexity of the relationship between peace and security, development and cooperation and especially the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. With the increasing number of conflicts becoming progressively more complex, we are aware that the United Nations faces a number of challenges, particularly on the African continent and in the Middle East. In order to find an adequate solution to the numerous crises, Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the United Nations efforts to strengthen the preventive diplomacy sector within the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“That should be the foundation for the continuous improvement of cooperation based on mutual interest and the principles of equality, respect for one another and respect for State sovereignty and territorial integrity. The aforementioned may lead to the conclusion that the relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the neighbouring countries are good and strong. However, due to particular policies of our neighbours, we occasionally see their activities seeking to realize their own political interests within Bosnia and Herzegovina. That causes unrest and produces a degree of destabilization in my country, which is neither good nor does it contribute to the development of the desired good-neighbourly relations. The United Nations has the primary responsibility for world peace and security.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“At the international level, Bosnia and Herzegovina is active within the United Nations and organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe, the Central European Free Trade Agreement and other various regional initiatives. We would like to emphasize that over the previous period Bosnia and Herzegovina had a prominent and active chairmanship of the South- East European Cooperation Process regional initiative and the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative, where it invested additional efforts and provided an active impetus to the regional approach to facing current challenges. Bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the neighbouring countries are at the top of our foreign policy priorities.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In that regard, I would like to affirm that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a reliable, serious and determined partner of the United Nations, the European Union and NATO. We are particularly determined to strengthen the European security area. We are committed to fighting organized crime, combating terrorism and violent extremism, as well as illegal migration, and to protecting the security of national borders in terms of migration management. With regard to the international challenges of the modern times, Bosnia and Herzegovina particularly emphasizes its commitment to the global efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism. In addition to internal reforms, Bosnia and Herzegovina also focuses on strengthening regional cooperation, particularly with regard to infrastructure projects in the communications, transport and energy sectors.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The European Commission’s Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for membership of the European Union is a very accurate record of all the reforms required. Some reforms require the voiding and annulment of the existing systemic discrimination against the citizens of my country, which is unfortunately set out in certain provisions of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as those of various legislative acts. Bosnia and Herzegovina will have to undergo a process of development in order to reach such a political level that those necessary reforms can be implemented without major sociopolitical tensions. Furthermore, Bosnia and Herzegovina actively contributes to regional security efforts in our region.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Successful cooperation with the United Nations encourages our implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which presents an opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina to share its own experience and lessons learned, as well as challenges and practices, on important life issues with the other United Nations Member States and contribute towards the strengthening of the international cooperation. Activities related to the Euro-Atlantic integration process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the alignment of the Bosnia and Herzegovina sociopolitical system with the European Union acquis, are at the centre of political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the country is committed to continuing its activities to stabilize the situation and accelerate the reform processes initiated.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We therefore hope that the review of implementation activities for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be finalized by the end of 2019 and submitted to the high-level political forum to be held in the coming years. Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that the present time offers a special opportunity to change the course of development by creating a self-sustaining environment that will benefit everyone. It is a great honour for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be a part of that transformational agenda as a sovereign country and provide our contribution within the global family of nations.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina takes the view that the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires an agreement on foreseeable, coherent and sufficient funding to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. For those reasons, we believe that the achievement of the SDGs should strongly and qualitatively contribute to the eradication of poverty, the reduction of world hunger, the protection of the environment and dealing with the evident climate change. Bosnia and Herzegovina sees the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its transformative nature as an opportunity and a mechanism of change seeking to comprehensively promote the social, economic and environmental aspects of the life of the population.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The United Nations established the high-level political forum on sustainable development as a platform where political leaders agree on recommendations regarding sustainable development matters. This year’s session of the forum was held in July, where my country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the first time presented its voluntary national review as part of monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, thereby sharing our experiences in accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By adopting the 2030 Agenda, Bosnia and Herzegovina has committed itself to initiating a systematic monitoring and supervision process for the implementation of that global agenda that integrates the social, economic and environmental dimensions of development.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I believe that the General Assembly sessions have always been an opportunity to bring together leaders of different countries in order for them to share their opinions and views on the world situation and, in particular, to find optimal solutions to contemporary global challenges and problems. In that respect, the United Nations has also faced the escalation of conflicts in different areas in 2019, including a major migrant and refugee crisis, followed by terrorism and violent extremism, as well as other forms of violence perpetrated by various extremist groups. There is also the issue of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will also be discussed during this session.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Allow me first of all to congratulate Mr. Muhammad-Bande on his election as President of the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session. I would also like to use the opportunity to thank Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, President of the General Assembly at its previous session. I would like to emphasize the importance of the current moment. Amid quite complex political and geopolitical circumstances, next year we will celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The Organization has faced numerous challenges in the past.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In its more than six decades of existence, the United Nations has seen many trials and tribulations, but it has always been, and continues to be, the only guide to a better future. It is still the only organization capable of providing solutions to the global problems we face. It is up to us to make it stronger and more efficient, for only the United Nations — the most comprehensive and inclusive organization — can help bring progress and well-being to our planet. If we work together to implement all our agreements reached in this hallowed place, there is no doubt that we will live in better and more just conditions than exist today. On that path, we need to return to the basic values and principles of human rights, equality and world peace that are the foundation of the United Nations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“That particularly applies to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. We also support all efforts of the African Union, African Governments and the United Nations to improve the rule of law and democracy and to strengthen civil society and its institutions, in order to improve all aspects of society. We wish to point out that continued and greater financial aid to Africa is just as important as improving the efficiency and transparency of the use of aid funds for sustainable development. In today’s world, with political and social processes more dynamic than ever, we face challenges quite different from those of only a few decades ago. It is becoming clear that only a strong multilateral approach can produce good solutions.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We are committed to fighting terrorism and believe that results in that regard can be achieved only through comprehensive cooperation and a partnership of as many Member States as possible. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also following the situation on the African continent with great interest. We expect that despite the world financial and economic crisis, most developed countries will continue to increase their contributions to the official development assistence that is essential for capacity-building in poor African countries. Therefore, we welcome the activities of the United Nations through the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and other efforts aimed at putting Africa on the road to stable and sustainable development, especially with regard to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We believe that all possible steps should be taken to create a positive climate in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region. We expect all sides to refrain from any rash actions and to focus on launching this very important dialogue. In order to play a constructive role in international relations and to contribute to self-sustainable peace and stability, Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan. In support of international efforts, we also actively participated in the United Nations missions in Liberia, South Sudan and Cyprus. I would also like to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains very concerned that terrorist attacks around the world continue to take the lives of innocent victims.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In spite of visible obstacles of the past decade, there are new initiatives giving new momentum to the disarmament and non-proliferation process. We believe that nuclear disarmament can be achieved by encouraging Member States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to respect their obligations under the Treaty. Bosnia and Herzegovina will sign the Arms Trade Treaty during the Treaty event. Bosnia and Herzegovina is gravely concerned about the continuing violence in Syria, which has worsened the humanitarian crisis and caused unacceptable suffering for the Syrian people. We call on all the parties to comply with their obligations under international law and human rights law. Resolving the crisis in the Middle East continues to be one of the most important priorities of the world Organization.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Timely and efficient conflict prevention, rather than reaction to a crisis that has already escalated, is definitely a more effective and less costly approach to international peace and security. We are eager to share with others the positive and the negative of our post-conflict and peacebuilding experience. Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that every crisis should be studied carefully, with careful consideration for the roots of conflict, the culture, religion and local customs and every other factor in order to find a just and long-term solution. There are no universal solutions for any crisis, and each one should be attended to and considered separately. Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that it is necessary to take concrete steps to prevent nuclear proliferation around the world.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We also believe that a reformed Security Council should have an additional seat for a State from the Eastern European Group, as the number of countries in that group has more than doubled in the past two decades. In accordance with that position, I would also like to emphasize that more engagement in preventative diplomacy is expected from the Security Council. We believe that more activity in the area of preventive diplomacy would help solve many problems and crises before they intensify, which would be a more efficient way for the Council to work. Encouraging dialogue to resolve critical issues by compromise, while acting against any kind of exclusiveness, especially in the area of human rights and human life, is of the utmost importance.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is a widely held belief that Security Council reform is crucial for core reform of the world Organization. That reform, carried out with the consensus of the Member States, is necessary for reasons of efficiency and credibility, and it can be achieved only by taking into account the contemporary geopolitical reality, which differs from that of 1945. Only a Security Council reformed in that way can have full authority and responsibility in addressing the most important issues of international peace and security. That is the mandate entrusted to the Council by the Charter of the United Nations. Dialogue and compromise are the best way to ensure the widest possible support, and Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the opinion that Security Council reform should be moved from a standstill as soon as possible.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I am of the opinion that economic and political interests must not be an obstacle to achieving global consensus on a true beginning of the global fight for the preservation of the natural balance of planet Earth. It is often forgotten that climate change has a direct impact on development, poverty and hunger, and consequently on global peace and security. Short-term solutions will have long-term consequences, and the steps we take today will be our legacy for generations to come. All of us present here agree that the United Nations needs continuous and comprehensive reform, which should be conducted with great caution, assuring a wide consensus of Member States. United Nations reform should provide for efficient and coordinated functioning of all segments and bodies of the system.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready to contribute to global efforts to define a development framework and then to implement it in order to readily face economic, social and environmental challenges. Considering that the importance of the three aspects of sustainable development I have mentioned crosses national borders, Bosnia and Herzegovina believes that regional cooperation is crucial for the successful preparation of the new post-2015 development framework. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as all the other Western Balkan countries at this stage of integration, follows European Union policy and views with regard to the new development agenda. Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently supports the position that sustainable development is possible only in harmony with nature.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina have been strategically working towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. We believe that, despite the difficulties caused by the world economic situation, there will be no obstacles in reaching our stated targets by 2015. Bosnia and Herzegovina has finalized the development strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the social inclusion strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the strategy for poverty eradication has already been designed and implemented. All of that has been done in cooperation with the relevant United Nations agencies in the country, whom we would like to thank for their close cooperation.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I would like to especially emphasize our bilateral relations with the Republic of Croatia, which gained a new dimension and dynamic with the Croatian accession to the EU, which was marked by eagerness on both sides to find solutions that are in best interests of both our countries. I must point out that we continue to live during one of the greatest economic and financial crises in contemporary history, which is certainly the greatest threat to global peace and security. We must do everything in our power to tackle its negative effects and consequences. Although the latest indicators show that some developing countries are coming out of the recession, that is not the case in poor and developing countries, where the consequences of the crisis are very harsh.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The development of bilateral relations with all of our neighbouring countries and other countries in the region is focused on several key areas: Euro-Atlantic integration, advancing economic cooperation, strengthening regional cooperation and finding constructive solutions for current issues. Our emphasis on regional cooperation is on the development of communications infrastructure as a basis for better economic, cultural and scientific ties, as well as overall regional development. The potential for regional economic ties is especially strong in the areas of industry, tourism, agriculture and energy.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“All those accused of war crimes will be held responsible for the crimes of which they are accused before either international or domestic courts. Bosnia and Herzegovina puts great emphasis on regional and subregional cooperation and dialogue among neighbouring countries, whose cultures and traditions have been present in the Balkans for centuries and who are currently at different stages of transition and democratic reform. Bosnia and Herzegovina is turned towards the future and to cooperation with neighbouring countries on the basis of mutual respect, as well as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I expect that expediting the remaining activities and the implementation of the Sejdi.-Finci ruling of the European Court of Human Rights will lead to the fulfilment of the requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application for accession to the European Union. I also hope for a positive development in the process of fulfilling the conditions for activating the NATO membership action plan and further integrating Bosnia and Herzegovina into NATO security structures. I would also like to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the final phase of negotiations for accession to the World Trade Organization. Allow me to emphasize again that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a very clear stance with regard to war crimes.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Based on the direction and foreign policy activities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, our focus remains on furthering our relationship and institutional relationship with the European Union, according to the Stabilization and Association Agreement and its full implementation. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s aspiration to become a member of the European Union is based upon broad political census. The fact that the process of European integration demands comprehensive political, institutional and legal adjustments in order to reach European standards in all areas is of fundamental importance to my country. We are also fully aware that the active participation of all segments of society of Bosnia and Herzegovina is necessary to expedite the process of European integration.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session, as well as members of your team, and to extend to you my full support in your future work. Plenary meetings of the General Assembly have always been an opportunity for Heads of State to gather and exchange their opinions about the world situation in order to try to find solutions for contemporary global problems. My country’s strategic goal of establishing a formal relationship with and membership in the European Union (EU) is based upon its ambition to become part of the big family of democratic States and therefore assure the full functionality of its own institutions and its further development on the basis of a free market and the rule of law, and especially human rights.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Providing timely and effective conflict prevention, rather than reacting once the crisis has escalated, is certainly a more efficient and less expensive mechanism for preserving peace and security. During the six decades of its existence, the United Nations has undergone ordeals but it always was and still is the best framework for seeking and providing adequate responses to the wide range of global issues that we face. Therefore, I urge Member States to work for the full implementation of all our agreements in order to make the world a better place for our future generations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina also organized several informal meetings in cooperation with partner countries and the General Assembly, at which States Members of the United Nations expressed their opinions and views and put forward concrete proposals for improving the efficiency of the Security Council. I wish to emphasize in particular that it is expected that the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, be more active in the area of preventive diplomacy. We believe that in order to make the work of the Council more efficient, greater activity in this respect would provide a starting point for resolving many of the world’s problems and crises before they flare up.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)