YouSaid · the spoken record

Inzko

lines on the record: 398
first: 2009-05-28
most recent: 2019-11-05
sittings or episodes: 22
sources: un-security-council

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

“Peaceful protests continued thereafter, including some in Republika Srpska. The response ofthe political class was mixed. While some politicians understood the clear message of those protesting, others sought to misrepresent the protests as ethnically motivated or organized from outside the country. That was simply not the case. Democracy is not just a matter of holding elections every four years, it also happens in between. In that respect, the peaceful protests and civic gatherings known as plenums represent a positive step forward in strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina's democracy. That new civic engagement is in a sense a sapling and, as we all know, even the tallest of oaks has to start to grow somewhere. What is now required is for the sapling to be nurtured and supported by us for as long as it takes.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“While nobody could predict exactly when there would be a public backlash against the ongoing failure of politicians to put citizens first, it was only a matter of time before it occurred. That is what took place at the beginning of February, when we saw large-scale protests. Central to the demands of the protesters was that the authorities should finally get serious about dealing with the mounting economic and social problems facing ordinary people and the rampant corruption gripping the country. Regrettably, the protests turned briefly violent on 7 February and significant damage was done to a number of public buildings in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica and Mostar, with notable numbers of police officers and some demonstrators being injured, but thankfully without any loss of life.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“The regional situation and relations between the country and its neighbours also continue to improve. In this regard, Serbian Prime Minister Vucie's groundbreaking and confidence-building visit to Sarajevo two days ago was another significant and indeed welcome step towards reconciliation. Nevertheless, I am increasingly concerned that the country is in danger of falling into a vicious downward cycle of spiteful tit-for-tat politics that it will be difficult to emerge from. Bosnia and Herzegovina has now been on a downward trajectory ever since the April package of constitutional changes was narrowly rejected in 2006. Eight years is a long time for a country to be going the wrong way. As my Office has long warned, the country cannot continue to go on in this way indefinitely without serious consequences.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“The President of the Republika Srpska has boasted publicly that there would be no cooperation with my Office. Sadly, positive developments have been few and far between, but there have been some. The State Parliament finally managed to adopt the necessary technical amendments to enable elections to be held as required in October. It also adopted a welcome new law on public procurement in line with European Union standards, and there have been important steps taken towards the full establishment and functioning of the Federation's Constitutional Court. There has also been some welcome progress with the State-level electricity transmission company TRANSCO. Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, the fact that exports increased last year by 7 per cent is welcome news.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“However, residence is regulated by the State in all countries of the world and it must continue to be regulated by the State, not at the entity level. As the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board has long made clear, we cannot have the entities taking unilateral action in this way. Unfortunately we also saw the Federation entity authorities acting unilaterally last year in a way that compromised the single economic space of the country, although thankfully that issue is now moving towards a solution. I also regret to inform the Council that the Republika Srpska authorities continue to refuse to cooperate with me and my Office, as required under annex X of the Peace Agreement, by refusing to provide documents when they are requested to do so.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“Calls for a referendum on secession have similarly been repeated time and time again. I have made it clear repeatedly that the Dayton Peace Agreement does not allow for the entities to secede. The international community must continue to say clearly that our commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is absolute. That is exactly what the 28 Foreign Ministers of the European Union did in April. Regrettably, I am obliged to inform the Council that once again the challenges to the Peace Agreement in the reporting period included not only statements, but also actions. In April, the Republika Srpska Government, at entity level, adopted Government decisions to regulate issues related to residence in response to the blockage of amendments to the State-level law in the upper house of the State Parliament.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“Thirdly, the legislative output of the State institutions continues to fall well short of the needs of the country, with more new laws being rejected than are adopted. Fourthly, many verdicts of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court, which are final and binding under the terms of the Peace Agreement, remain unimplemented. As a result, for example, voters in Mostar continued to be denied the right to elect their local Government, which should have happened in 2012. And as if all this were not enough, challenges to the Peace Agreement became ever more frequent and direct as the reporting period progressed. Senior politicians from Republika Srpska have sought to exploit the deeply worrying events in Ukraine to promote their own separatist agendas, and have repeatedly called for and predicted the end of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“Yet again, Bosnia and Herzegovina's political leaders were unable to reach an agreement on changes that are required to implement the European Court of Human Rights judgement in the Sejdic-Finci case, which is a condition for the country to move forward towards European Union candidacy and ensure the equality of all citizens. Similarly, a lack of progress on military property continues to prevent Bosnia and Herzegovina from activating its membership action plan with NATO. Secondly, despite notable increases in exports, the overall economic situation remains very difficult, with the entities relying on external budgetary support to pay the bills. Unemployment now stands at 44 per cent.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“Conversely, it is simply not working for the average citizen in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lack of urgency to reach the healthy compromises that are in the interests of the overwhelming majority of the people of the country and are clearly necessary to take the country forward is becoming ever more difficult to understand and impossible to defend. Entirely predictably, the political situation has continued to deteriorate. A snapshot of the past six months tells us all we need to know. First, progress on Euro-Atlantic integration has ground to a halt despite the commendable efforts of the European Union and NATO. What is the reason?”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“This noble message will be reinforced by the concert for peace to be given in Sarajevo by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra that same day. (Spoke in English) Sadly, in the six months that have elapsed since I was last here, the actions and behaviour of some of Bosnia and Herzegovina's elected officials and political leaders suggest that they have learned little from the mistakes of the past. The same old mistake - putting the interests of a privileged political class before those of the country and its citizens - continues to be made. Not once, not twice but over and over again. I say this because the status quo and the current way of doing politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina are so very clearly working forjust a chosen few - those who are in power or close to power.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“It is precisely because ofthis that I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for the French-led efforts to mark the hundredth anniversary of the First World War in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which I hope will be used not to promote division and conflict but to reflect on the importance of peace. (spoke in French) I especially want to thank France and its Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Roland Gilles, for his positive and visionary approach to commemorating the centenary of the Sarajevo assassination. In this context, I welcome the initiative taken by France and its centennial mission, which has devoted great energy to sending a message from Sarajevo built around the theme of reconciliation. On the initiative of France, we shall together send a message of brotherhood and peace to the world on 28 June.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“Mr. Inzko: As we stand ready to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War and the tragic loss of life and suffering that followed, our continued commitment to our shared goal of irreversible peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina is more important than ever. Our continued commitment is important to the country, its people and the wider region, but it is also important for the affirmation of the inviolable values and principles of peace, coexistence, mutual respect and the sanctity of sovereign States that we hold so dear. If ever there was a year for us to learn from the mistakes of the past and to remind ourselves that what happens to Bosnia and Herzegovina is important far beyond its borders, that year is 2014.”
2014-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7176 (2014) · source
“Again, this should be cause not for despair, but rather for the international community to step back and consider whether there is a need to recalibrate our approach and how we can best help Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens on the track towards prosperity and political stability. In this context, we need to stand together to support all those in Bosnia and Herzegovina who are ready to help the country progress and stand against those who would take the country backwards towards further division and disintegration. With the sustained attention and goodwill of this body and the international community as a whole, I am sure that we can help Bosnia and Herzegovina's leaders and its wonderful leaders to reach their common goals.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“The country also benefits from good relations with Serbia, which is a future candidate country, and the constructive policies of President Nikolic', Prime Minister Dacic', Deputy Prime Minister Vueie and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mrkie. Ultimately, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to benefit from good relations with its third neighbour, Montenegro. We should remember that exactly the same opportunities are being offered to Bosnia and Herzegovina's leaders as to the countries in the region that I just mentioned. At the same time, the past few years have shown that the international community should not ignore, in its approach, some of the specificities of Bosnia and Herzegovina's history, its post-war settlement - it has been exactly 18 years since the war ended - and risks to its future stability.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“To see the potential ofwhat Bosnia and Herzegovina could achieve, we need only observe how the processes of Euro-Atlantic integration have already transformed Bosnia's neighbours and brought with them enormous gains. In this sense, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the benefit of the best regional situation in the past 20 years. The country has benefited from good relations with Croatia, which is now a State member of the European Union, under the capable leadership of President Josipovie, Prime Minister Milanovie and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pusie. Croatia also has 1,000 kilometres of common border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which means that the European Union now has 1,000 kilometres of common border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“The European Union (EU) has demonstrated its commitment to assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina in meeting the country's EU aspirations time and again, engaging at the highest levels and reinforcing its presence on the ground with one of its most experienced and skilful diplomats, Ambassador Peter Sorensen. He is doing an excellent job and has brought the European Union to centre stage in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Peter Sorensen and I and our offices are cooperating closely, respecting our different but complementary mandates, in order to achieve synergies for the country. As we are at the United Nations here today, I should also mention the very good work that the United Nations family is currently doing on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina under the able leadership of United Nations Country Resident Coordinator Yuri Afanasiev.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“Given the difficult political circumstances and the chance for further challenges in 2014, I consider their continued presence to be a critical reassurance, and I therefore warmly welcome the adoption of resolution 2123 (2013), prolonging the mandate of the military mission for another year. I want to conclude my remarks today on a more positive note, for while we cannot ignore the ongoing limited progress or the political instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we must also remember that the country, its leaders and its people still have every chance to work together, to succeed and to prosper.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“Radmanovic', also raised the possibility of an independence referendum should half the States Members of the United Nations recognize Kosovo. He presented this as the official policy of the Republika Srpska, previously adopted by the entity Assembly. In this context, I believe that the continued presence of the European Union and NATO military missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina still plays a vital role in reassuring the public that the country remains safe and secure despite the difficult political situation. In my view, the deterrent effect of a relatively small force with an executive mandate is well worth the investment.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“During the reporting period, they met on a regular basis f they also had some changes of ministerial posts - and the Government continued its efforts to tackle the economic and social challenges facing the entity. However, from the point of View of future threats to the stability of the country, I remain concerned about the continued statements by some of the most senior officials from the Republika Srpska advocating the dissolution of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country. The Republika Srpska President remains the most frequent and vocal critic of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recently boasting again that he will lead the entity to independence. During the reporting period, the Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina presidency, Mr.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“My Office also facilitated a resolution to fill long-standing vacancies on the Federation Constitutional Court to ensure that that important institution could continue its work. Nonetheless, the crisis in the larger entity's Federation has continued to reveal functional deficiencies and gaps in the entity's system of Government and the ongoing need for reform in the Federation to make the system more functional, efficient and cost-effective. In this context, I welcome the initiative of local experts, supported by the United States Government, to reform the Federation Constitution in order to improve the functionality ofthe entity, which is a process my Office strongly supports. The functional inefficiency of the Federation stood again in some contrast to the institutions of the Republika Srpska, which functioned very smoothly.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“This political interference in the work of the judiciary was taken a step further in October, when the Republika Srpska National Assembly issued another set of conclusions against the State-level judiciary. Another concern with the rule of law is the ongoing failure of the domestic institutions to implement the verdicts of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court, which are final and binding under the terms of the Peace Agreement. Over 80 decisions remain unimplemented. During the reporting period, the dispute continued among the parties in Government in the Federation, which is a bigger entity, but its intensity diminished and the Government went back to work.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“At the same time, it should be stressed that there have also been some positive developments, for example in the areas of exports, where we have seen an 8-per-cent increase this year, and of industrial production, where we have seen a 7-per-cent to date. From the point of view of my mandate to uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement, which includes the State Constitution, I remain concerned by the readiness of the entities, in particular the Republika Srpska, to challenge the competencies of the State provided for under the Peace Agreement. An area of particular concern is the rule of law, where rhetorical attacks against the judicial institutions established to exercise the constitutional responsibilities of the State have continued.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“Significantly, the country managed in October to conduct its first population census since 1991. For 20 years, there had been no census. It was conducted successfully in October. That is a significant development and is vitally important for providing statistical information on social and economic issues. It is important that the results of the census not be used to promote divisions or to exacerbate ethnic tensions. Generally, the economic situation has been difficult. In addition to its own resources, Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued to rely on external budgetary support over the past year to pay its bills. The official unemployment rate is still 44 per cent. That is of course another indication of the serious economic hardship suffered by a large portion of the population.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“While those two protests were of a very different nature and about very different issues, they reveal the fundamental dissatisfaction that is present in many different segments of the country both with the unresolved divisions within the country and with the lack ofurgency among the country's leaders in reaching compromises to address those divisions and to move forward. They also reveal, in my view, that the public has understood something that many Bosnian leaders have still failed to grasp, namely, that democracy is something to be exercised not only every four years through elections but also in between. Turning to the main political developments of the past six months, the general trend has been negative but there have been some exceptions.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“At the beginning of the reporting period, the public expressed its dissatisfaction with the inertia of elected leaders in demonstrations throughout the country, the most dramatic of which were seen outside the building of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where, in June, several thousand demonstrators surrounded the building over nearly two days, with employees and visitors kept inside for several hours. At the end of the reporting period, Bosnia and Herzegovina again saw protests of a different nature on a much smaller scale, related to the ethnic divisions in the education system. I believe that the international community as a whole has underestimated the significance of education as part of the process ofpost- war reconciliation and reintegration.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“In the past six months, the political leaders have again missed a chance to take a decisive step forward by agreeing to correct discriminatory provisions in the electoral system. Those changes are required by the Seja'ie-Finci judgement of the European Court of Human Rights. Such changes are not only a condition for the country to move forward towards European Union candidacy but also a test of the country's ability to apply basic human rights standards in the conduct of elections and to live up to its international obligations. Similarly, progress has remained elusive in regulating the question of the ownership of military property, which has kept Bosnia and Herzegovina from activating its membership action plan with NATO.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“Mr. Inzko: Allow me to begin by thanking the members of the Security Council for their ongoing commitment to our common goal of irreversible peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina still merits close attention if we are to ensure that the gains made after the war in terms of stability, rebuilding the country and reconciling its people are not lost. In my address to the Security Council in May (see S/PV.6966), I described how the political situation had reverted to the negative trends of the past seven years and how the country's elected leadership had failed to make a serious effort towards progress on Euro-Atlantic integration. I regret to say that six months later, with less than a year left until the next general elections, that is still the case.”
2013-11-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7057 (2013) · source
“Accordingly, I hope that when I report to the Council in six months that we can look forward to a 2014 full of progress and not of deepening crisis. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, we need not only the continuous attention of the international community, but also patience and a long-term approach. New generations are arising and ready to commit themselves to that wonderful country.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Bosnia and Herzegovina's political leaders and the parties they represent are faced with a choice that is growing increasingly stark with each passing day. There can be no more excuses and there is no place for them to hide from their responsibilities. The choice is simple. They can succeed together or they can fail together. I know them all. I know that they can do much better, and I call on them from this most distinguished of stages to show the courage to finally reach the healthy compromises that will enable the country to progress. For our part we must continue to assist those in Bosnia and Herzegovina who want the country to progress, while also standing firm against all those who seek to reopen the wounds of the past. Bosnia and Herzegovina can go forward only if it looks forward and not backwards.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“A stable security situation is the starting point for everything else, and through their continued presence the European Union and NATO military missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina have both continued to reassure citizens that the country remains safe and secure, despite the difficult political situation and at a time when senior politicians have repeatedly and openly called the future of the country into question. In advance of the Security Council's deliberations in November, I would like to take this opportunity to express my strong belief that the presence of the European Union military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina under its existing mandate is essential to support ongoing international community efforts and my ability to fulfil my civilian mandate.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Perhaps not surprisingly, given the overall climate, the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities again failed to make concrete progress on the outstanding objectives set by the Steering Board of the Peace implementation Council as prerequisites for closure of the Office of the High Representative. Not all the news has been bad. I have already mentioned some positive aspects coming out of Republika Srpska. Additionally, the State-level Council of Ministers, which underwent a party reshuffle in November, has met regularly. The State budget for 2013 was adopted on time, for the first time in two years. In general, however, the State-level coalitions have so far been unable to deliver much needed progress on the legislative front.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“In general, I also remain concerned about a pattern of disregard for the rule of law that has emerged over the past couple of years, not least in the Federation. For this reason, I submitted a special report to the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council on the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ongoing failure of local institutions to implement the November 2010 Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court decision on Mostar's electoral system is a case in point and represents a violation of the Peace Agreement, which states that decisions of the Court shall be final and binding. As a result, residents of Mostar were unable to vote in the 2012 local elections. The two largest parties in Mostar bear most responsibility for the failure to reach an agreement, and I expect these two parties to start compromising.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“When President Nikolie explicitly apologized for Srebrenica and other war crimes committed by individuals in the name of the Serbian State or people, he took a courageous step towards regional reconciliation that, if followed up, could open the way to further improvements in relations between Sarajevo and Belgrade. It is also worth noting that, upon the initiative of Turkey, a meeting is taking place today between the Presidents of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu came personally to Sarajevo last week to prepare that historic meeting. These efforts are extremely important not only to regional cooperation, but also to regional reconciliation. Of course, they enjoy my full support.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“This is just one of many such statements cited in my report, and they have continued since this reporting period ended. Also symbolic of the retrograde politics that continues to prevail, statements denying that genocide was committed in Srebrenica have also continued. In sharp contrast, Serbia's President Tomislav Nikolie, Prime Minister Dacic' and Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucie, expressing the sentiments of the Belgrade authorities, have in recent weeks shown the kind of political leadership that is worthy of the highest praise.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Six months ago, I signaled that the issue of growing advocacy for the dissolution of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Republika Srpska officials deserved the special attention of the international community. My assessment in this regard has not changed. Statements made and actions taken during the reporting period, which are catalogued in my report, have in my View represented a continuation of this worrisome policy. Just last month and again a few days ago, the Republika Srpska President said that Bosnia and Herzegovina "has absolutely no possibility to survive" and described Bosnia and Herzegovina as a "sufferer on its last breath, into whom the international community is still throwing capsules of oxygen claiming that it has to survive".”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“The ruling coalition in Republika Srpska elected a new Prime Minister and replaced a number of ministers, seemingly in response to a worsening economic situation, which included public sector strikes. In contrast with the Federation Government, the Republika Srpska Government has continued to meet regularly as it seeks to tackle the many economic and social challenges it is facing. However, from the point of view of the mandate given to me under the Dayton Peace Agreement and reflected in successive Security Council resolutions, I remain deeply concerned about fundamental challenges to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina coming from some representatives of Republika Srpska, including entity President Dodik.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“The crisis is further complicated by the fact that the institution responsible for resolving the blockage - the so-called Vital National Interest Panel of the Federal Constitutional Court - does not function due the four- and-a-half year failure of the competent authorities to appoint missing judges to the Panel. As if these developments were not a serious enough distraction from the pressing difficulties facing the authorities in the Federation, the President of the Federation was arrested on 26 April and remains in detention. The smooth reshuffling of the Republika Srpska Government in March stands in sharp contrast to the situation in the Federation.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Turning now to the political developments of the last six months, it is the deepening political and constitutional crisis in the Federation, linked to a new parliamentary majority being formed in this entity, that has dominated events. Despite its majority, the new coalition, which has a clear and legitimate right to seek to reshuffle the Government, has not been able to remove the existing Government, as some parties have used constitutional blocking mechanisms that are actually designed to protect the rights of constituent peoples to block the adoption of a no-confidence vote.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Before reviewing the main political developments of the last six months from the perspective of my mandate, I want to make clear in no uncertain terms that the fundamental reason for the country continuing to lag behind its neighbours is the fact that elected officials and political parties continue to put their own narrow personal and party political interests before the interests of the citizens and the country at large. The fact that the pull of Euro-Atlantic integration processes has so far not proved strong enough to overcome this should be of concern to all of us and cause for serious reflection on the elements of our united strategy moving forward.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“A similar dynamic has played out over the past two years with regard to the country's NATO aspirations, where little concrete progress has been reached to register military property in the name of the State, the requirement to unlock the country's entry into the Alliance's membership action plan. Both tasks are simple and straightforward, involve little or no material cost and could be achieved within days with a minimum of political courage and an understanding that reaching healthy compromises through political dialogue is a win-win situation for all involved. Yet the zero-sum approach to politics continues unabated year after year. That approach must change, and it must change now if the next 16 months are not to be lost to unproductive election campaigning.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“I should to like mention in particular the tireless efforts of European Union Special Representative Peter Sorensen. The sad reality of Bosnia's politics was brought home again in April, when the country's leaders failed to reach agreement on the implementation of a key ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that would unlock the next stage in the EU integration process. In that regard, I should like to ask the political leaders: what should have been easier to solve - the implementation of the Sej die-Finci human rights ruling, or the historic issue of Serbia and Kosovo?”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Croatia is now just seven weeks away from full membership, having served as a shining example to others in the region of what can be achieved if change is delivered through reform. Montenegro's progress is also impressive. The region is moving on, and, in seven weeks, Bosnia and Herzegovina will have 1,000 kilometres of common borders with the European Union. Meanwhile, regrettably, Bosnia and Herzegovina is stagnating. Year after year it is let down by its political leaders, who continue to fail to reach the healthy compromises that are necessary to meet the requirements of Euro-Atlantic integration and to tackle the very serious economic and social challenges facing the country - all this despite the very generous, progressive and reinforced engagement of the EU on the ground.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“But we must also recognize that the job is not yet done and that our engagement remains essential if we are to safeguard the progress made thus far and build on it to reach our common goal. I regret to inform the Council that in the six months since my previous report (S/2012/8l3), Bosnia and Herzegovina's political leaders have continued to fail the citizens of the country and fell short of the very limited expectations of the international community. As a result, the country has fallen further behind its neighbours as a region. Serbia and Kosovo are normalizing relations following a historic deal negotiated by the European Union's (EU) foreign policy chief, Baroness Ashton, and Serbia appears poised to open accession talks with the European Union.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Mr. Inzko: Allow me to begin by thanking the members of the Security Council for their continuing support and attention to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The question of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not, fortunately, have the immediate security dimensions of the other issues that the Security Council is dealing with. But I am sure that the Council will agree with me that what happens to Bosnia and Herzegovina matters far beyond its borders. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that in so many ways has come to symbolize our shared commitment and quest for an integrated European continent rooted in lasting peace, stability, prosperity and tolerance. As we strive to achieve that vision, we should, of course, take pride in the progress that has been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina following the tragic wars of the 1990s.”
2013-05-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6966 (2013) · source
“Allow me to conclude with the inspirational thoughts expressed by the Secretary-General when he concluded his recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina: "In a fast-moving region, no one can afford to be left behind. That will take collective leadership. That will take unity. That will take a commitment to work and move forward together".”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“In doing so, we will also be supporting the efforts of those willing to work for the collective good of delivering lasting peace and stability within the Euro-Atlantic framework. We are in a critical phase, and we must express more clearly than ever what is expected of Bosnia and Herzegovina's political leaders and what will not be tolerated. They must stop their divisive behaviour and finally start leading the way to the country's full reintegration, in the interests of all its citizens. In so doing, they can look to the example of how post-war Europe was built, with tolerance, dialogue and sound compromise. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Guido Westerwelle, put it recently, the word "confrontation" has been replaced in Europe by the word "cooperation".”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“I very much hope that by the next time I report to the Council we will have seen elections held in Mostar and that the country as a whole will be catching up with its neighbours in the region. Allow me to conclude by making the following two points. First, Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot afford to continue falling further and further behind other countries in the region. The consequences ofthis would be dire, economically, socially and politically. Secondly, challenges to the Peace Agreement have become so frequent and direct during the reporting period that they deserve special attention. The questioning of Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and its future as a State must stop. The international community must not tolerate such challenges, and we must ensure that we are equipped with the will and capacity to manage them.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“It should live up once again to the etymology of its name, "the silver city". In the still heavily scarred and divided city of Mostar, the prospect of delivering change through the ballot box remains on hold. Due to the ongoing failure of the parties to implement the Constitutional Court's ruling on Mostar's electoral system, the town was the only community in the country that did not hold local elections on 7 October. With no agreement in sight close to two years after the Court made its ruling, my Office is currently engaged in a facilitation effort that aims to help the local parties to deliver a domestic solution to implement the Court's ruling without further delay. The discussions are in a crucial phase, and it is time for all the parties to compromise and to implement the Court's ruling.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“After a campaign that rarely touched on local issues, the 7 October local elections passed largely without incident. Once again, Srebrenica was an area of focus for the international community, and rightly so given the genocide that was committed there. One of the high-level Visitors was the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. Despite some controversy surrounding the registration and counting in Srebrenica, the elections, thankfully, passed without major incident. They resulted in a Bosniak Mayor and an equal distribution of seats between Serbs and Bosniaks in the Municipal Assembly. The parties must now come together to work in a spirit of reconciliation in the interests of all of Srebrenica's residents. A life of dignity and coexistence must be returned to Srebrenica.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“As a result of those actions by my Office and the Brcko Supervisor, we have entered a new phase in Brcko district where the local authorities have taken full responsibility for day-to-day affairs in the district. Given our responsibilities under the Final Award, both the Supervisor and I will be keeping a close eye on developments in that district. In addition, a landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the issue of State property has significant implications for the resolution of this issue, which is the second of the five objectives for the closing of the Office ofthe High Representative. In layman's terms, the Court's decision affirms the primacy of the State's ownership of public property.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source