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

“In the context of the developments that I have just described, I was perhaps not surprised, but I was disappointed, to see the authorities deliver very little progress on the five objectives and two conditions for the closing of the Office of the High Representative. Nevertheless, there have been positive developments on the objective related to the Brcko district through actions undertaken by the international community. On 23 May, the Steering Board endorsed my decision to close the Office of the High Representative in Brcko. Accordingly, I closed that Office on 31 August. The Steering Board also supported the decision of the Brcko Supervisor, Rod Moore, to suspend his functions as of the same date.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“There is probably no issue more central to the Peace Agreement than the preservation of the unity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Continued challenges to the State - including the Republika Srpska's regular advocacy for its dissolution - must be taken seriously, especially considering the history of the conflicts of the 19905. The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary, William Hague, made quite Clear during his recent Visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina that: "Bosnia can only be a member of the European Union as a single, sovereign State. Those who think that there is another way for Bosnia are simply wrong, and those who undermine the Bosnian State will not be our partners". That is a view we fully share.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“They have been supplemented over the past several years by a comprehensive effort to erode, and in some cases eliminate, the functionality of the State and its institutions. The latest of many State institutions that the Republika Srpska has sought to abolish or emasculate is the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a multinational structure that has earned praise for its contributions to peacekeeping operations around the world, including operations authorized by the Security Council itself. In the light of the mandate I have been given by the international community, a mandate which has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the Security Council, I regretfully conclude that these challenges are worrisome enough to warrant the particular attention of this body.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“Unfortunately, that rhetoric has intensified and worsened considerably during the past six months. My written report (see S/2012/8l3) contains many examples of the types of inflammatory statements that have been uttered by very senior officials in the Republika Srpska. How does one respond when a leading politician says that Bosnia and Herzegovina makes him feel sick and that he hopes to God it will fall apart soon? How would any of us react if someone were to say about our own beloved country, that it makes them sick and should fall apart? I think we would be concerned, shocked and certainly deeply saddened. It would be a mistake to dismiss those words as empty or election-driven rhetoric.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“Without dialogue and a readiness to work towards healthy compromises there can be no progress. At the same time, it is critically important that, as the parties proceed with their agenda, they do not take steps to roll back reforms undertaken with great care over many years to further the Peace Agreement. The Peace Implementation Council Steering Board has been consistently firm on that point. Another issue of even greater concern to me has been the marked rise in challenges to the Peace Agreement, in particular the challenges to Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and territorial integrity that we saw during the reporting period. I have reported to the Council many times in the past about the anti-State, secessionist rhetoric emanating from the current Republika Srpska leadership.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“In addition to the administrative and legislative gridlock, at times in the Federation we saw political parties disregard constitutional and legal provisions in their haste to effect changes to governing coalitions. The question of which parties form the governing coalition is not a matter for the international community to decide. However, when the rule of law is disregarded we should be concerned. While the dispute continues at the Federation entity level, in the last two weeks we have seen signs of a rapprochement on the formation of a new State-level coalition between the two parties from the Republika Srpska and the Federation that secured the most votes in the 2010 general elections. The readiness of the two parties to start talking seriously about substantial issues is a welcome development.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“It was logical to expect that, with a Government and a budget in place, the new coalition would immediately make up for lost time and get down to addressing the pressing needs of citizens and delivering the requirements to open up the next phase of the EU and NATO accession processes. To the disappointment of many in the international community, that is not what happened. Instead, a protracted effort to reconfigure the governing coalition began in early June - a process that will hopefully be resolved by the end of the year, following some six more months of time lost. That dispute diverted attention from pressing challenges. While other countries in the region move forward, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been left behind. The situation was also reflected in the recent European Commission's progress report.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“We are now very deep into a phase where the degree and speed of Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress will be determined by the ability or inability of the authorities in the country to deliver concrete results. Regrettably, on that subject I must turn to less welcome developments, because political leaders are failing to produce what they should 17 years after the Peace Agreement was signed. When I addressed the Council six months ago (see S/PV.677l), I was cautiously optimistic about the direction in which the country was heading. After 15 months of waiting for political leaders to reach agreement, we had finally witnessed the appointment of State-level executive authorities in February. On 31 May, the State budget was finally adopted.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“It has been a full year since we completed the transition and reconfiguration of the international presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the decoupling of the EU Special Representative from the Office of the High Representative and its incorporation into the stand-alone EU delegation. I am pleased to report that the EU delegation and my Office have established a very close working relationship on the ground. Ambassador Peter Sarensen has made an excellent start, and his presence has indeed been a breath of fresh air. We are coordinating our efforts while seeking synergies and win-win situations wherever possible. However, no matter how good our cooperation within the international community, that alone cannot deliver progress.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“Ours is a just and important objective, namely, lasting peace and stability for Bosnia and Herzegovina, irreversibly on track towards integration into the European Union (EU) and NATO. It is an objective to which the international community remains firmly committed over 20 years after Bosnia and Herzegovina's international recognition, in April 1992. That commitment to our common cause with Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens was yet again made abundantly clear during the course ofa series of high-profile visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the reporting period. This month, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton visited Sarajevo together, as did United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague a few days earlier.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“Mr. Inzko: At the outset, let me take this opportunity to thank those members of the Security Council whose terms are concluding at the end of this year - Columbia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa - for their support. It has been an especially challenging year for the Security Council, and I would like to thank members for their readiness to encourage and support efforts to take Bosnia and Herzegovina forward towards our common objective of lasting peace and stability. Let me also use this opportunity to wish the recently elected incoming members of the Security Council every success during their time on the Council. Those of us working on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina know we can continue to rely on the Council's support in the future. We will draw strength from that knowledge in what remains a challenging environment.”
2012-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6860 (2012) · source
“I stand ready to continue to cooperate with him and all other actors, including the Security Council, for I firmly believe that as long as we remain united we will succeed. We have come a long way in the past 20 years and invested a huge amount of energy and resources. Let us make sure we remain committed and complete our mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina successfully. It can be achieved.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“Secondly, we cannot ignore that challenges to the Peace Agreement continue. We must ensure that we are equipped to deal with such challenges. In doing so, we will also be supporting the efforts of those forces in the country that want to move forward and progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration. Thirdly, our unity is our strength - the unity of the international community. Bosnia and Herzegovina could be a role model and an example of how the international community works together successfully and speaks with one voice. On the ground in Sarajevo that has been achieved already. Peter Sorensen, the new EU Special Representative, has had a brilliant start in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Let us give him our full support. He and I, as well as our offices, are working together well.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“Given how much the international community has invested in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the years, it is only natural that we have expectations of the political leaders and authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They have proven in the past six months that they can make progress; now we expect, and need, to see more. Allow me to conclude by making three points. First, recent developments offer hope of genuine progress, but it is still early days. We need to see far more in the way of concrete results, and I believe that we will. The year 2012 can be a breakthrough year for the country in its efforts to progress towards full Euro-Atlantic integration. NATO and European Union's membership are two parts of a single path for Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are complimentary and I fully support both.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“It needs a special and calibrated approach. We should not ignore this as we look to the future. As Bosnia and Herzegovina's Constitution was drafted as part of the Peace Agreement, the Dayton factor will always be present in some form in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, it is vital that the European Union factor continues to be steadily strengthened, as the Euro-Atlantic future is Bosnia and Herzegovina's future - its only future. Needless to say, this trajectory has my full respect and wholehearted support. My hope is that the country will draw strength from how far it has come during the past 20 years and that this reality will inspire political leaders to meet their responsibilities to their citizens and, I dare say, to the international community as well.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“This year is an election year and will bring challenges of its own. The electoral rules for Mostar and Srebrenica have been hotly debated and may very well shape the election campaign. Both places are special and deserve our ongoing attention. My Office will certainly be making an extra effort in 2012 to help both communities to make progress in the interests of the citizens who live there and to contribute to the creation of an environment that will enable self- sustaining coexistence for many generations to come. While pointing to these difficulties and challenges, I do not wish to diminish the very real and long-awaited signs of positive political progress that the European integration dynamic appears to be delivering. At the same time, I want to recall that Bosnia is a very specific country with a troubled recent history.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“Another issue I am watching closely is the issue of the State budget. The 2011 State budget was not adopted until 2012, and we still await the adoption of the 2012 budget and a global fiscal framework for 2012-2014. The 2012 budget has now passed the first reading in the Bosnia and Herzegovina House of Representatives. I warmly welcome this step, and I am hopeful that Parliament will finish the job swiftly so that we can finally have a budget in place at the State level. It remains to be seen how the budget, which is smaller than the last regular budget, adopted for 2010, will impact on the functioning of the State-level institutions. We hope, however, that the basic functions of the State, including those relevant to the country's EU and NATO perspectives, can be maintained.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“In any case, it has started as a very promising year. At the same time, given my mandate, I must also be on record in regard to less welcome developments. Alongside this positive dynamic, we continue to see a parallel dynamic of the divisive political agendas that have been played out over the past six years. A number of troubling challenges to the Dayton Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina's territorial integrity took place during the reporting period, including a series of statements challenging the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Relevant quotations and details of these developments can be found in my report. These are unwelcome aspects of an otherwise positive political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we must keep them in view. Given my mandate, I must take these challenges seriously.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to benefit from a positive regional climate, to which President Josipovic' and Foreign Minister Pusic' of Croatia, as well as President Tadie of Serbia, have contributed to greatly. The role of Montenegro as third neighbour in this improved regional environment has also been extremely constructive. So now, within Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the first time in a long time we have a political process based on dialogue and a readiness to compromise. This long overdue return to political dialogue, negotiation and compromise is very good news. If it is nurtured and developed - if Bosnia and Herzegovina's leaders honour the commitments they have made - 2012 could indeed be a breakthrough year on the path towards full Euro-Atlantic integration.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“Progress can be delivered only by domestic institutions. This also applies to the implementation of the Sejdic-Finci judgement of the European Court of Human Rights, which requires Bosnia and Herzegovina 12-33985 to change the way its Presidency members and representatives in the House of Peoples are elected. Progress on this issue is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU path, but first and foremost it is important in and of itself because human rights and the rule of law matter. Let me take this opportunity to once again call on the leaders to go the extra mile and to reach an agreement. All the positive developments that I have just mentioned are the result of politicians finally sitting down and talking to each other. This is so simple, and yet so elusive.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“I hope that, in a few days time, there will be good news from the Chicago summit. This would be a real boost for Bosnia and Herzegovina and a signal to the country that progress on the Euro-Atlantic path is achievable. Of course, the benchmark is implementation. What we need to see now is action by the State and entity authorities to implement their agreement. In addition to the progress on defence and State property, the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board is currently discussing the future of the international supervisory regime in the Brcko district. This question is another of the five objectives and two conditions set for the closure of Office of the High Representative. My Office will be encouraging and supporting the domestic authorities to make progress, but I will not do the job for them. Those times are over.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“Government formation was preceded by the adoption of two long outstanding State-level laws - the State Aid Law and the Census Law, both of which are important for the European Union (EU) accession process. Then, on 9 March, the leaders of the six leading parties reached a political agreement on two of the issues that have been identified as preconditions for the closure of my Office: the issue of the ownership and use of military property, and the broader question of ownership and use of State property. Overall, the 9 March party leaders' agreement is a positive step and offers real hope of progress. Most significantly, progress on the issue of military property would help to set the stage for Bosnia and Herzegovina's full participation in NATO's membership action plan - a step that I have consistently and strongly supported.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“And, by the way, his mandate is off to an excellent start. Had the authorities not followed the principle of rotation this time, it would be very 12-33985 difficult to re-establish what is, for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a very important procedure. Furthermore, I have also consistently and repeatedly advocated that the six parties forming the Council of Ministers, given the support they receive at the elections, have the greatest responsibility for forming the Government and taking the country forward. I have encouraged the parties to do so, but I have made it equally clear that it is up to them to form a Government and that the international community would not intervene.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“At the same time, I am very pleased to be able to report that 2012 has started well, with signs of positive change in the country. I should like to brief the Council on the most notable positive developments of recent months, which I believe offer real hope that 2012 can be a good year for Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 10 February - more than 16 months after the elections - a State Government was finally appointed with a Croat Chairman. The Government is based on a coalition of the six strongest parties. I was especially pleased by this outcome as I have consistently and repeatedly insisted that the principle of rotation of the ethnicity of the State Prime Minister between mandates be respected. Accordingly, we now have a Prime Minister who is from the constituent people of the Bosnian Croats.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Bosnia and Herzegovina wholeheartedly, and I am very glad that - as predicted 20 years ago - Bosnia and Herzegovina is indeed making a significant contribution to the work of the Organization, most recently with its successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate both Croatia and Slovenia on this occasion. In Slovenia, the date of admission to the United Nations is even commemorated as the Day of Slovenian Diplomacy. Such anniversaries are a time for reflection. Looking back, nobody can dispute that Bosnia and Herzegovina has come a long way, but neither can we dispute that the country has some way to go before the job is completed.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“At the same meeting the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 755 (1992) endorsing his recommendation. The Security Council President, Mr. Peter Hohenfellner, also expressed in a prophetic way that "[a]11 the members of the Council are confident that Bosnia and Herzegovina will make a significant contribution to the work of the Organization" (S/PV.3079, p. 4). Upon this historic recommendation, Bosnia and Herzegovina was admitted, through General Assembly resolution 46/237, adopted without a vote 20 years ago on 22 May 1992, as a Member of the United Nations.”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“Mr. Inzko: I thank you, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to present my seventh report as High Representative - the forty-first report of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (see S/2012/307). This month is special for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as it will celebrate 20 years since its admission as a Member State to the United Nations, along with Croatia and Slovenia, on 22 May. But this month is also special for my home country, Austria, as it presided over the Security Council in the month of May exactly 20 years ago. The then-Austrian Ambassador, Mr. Peter Hohenfellner, as President of the Security Council, proposed on 20 May 1992 to the Council to adopt a draft resolution recommending to 2 the General Assembly that Bosnia and Herzegovina be admitted to the United Nations (see S/PV.3079).”
2012-05-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6771 (2012) · source
“I look to the Security Council and to the Peace Implementation Council to support me fully in doing my job, in keeping with the mandate the Council has given me, and in building on a successful peace effort in the country so that we may reach the point where peace, stability and the country's Euro-Atlantic future are irreversible beyond any shadow of a doubt. Let us work together, the entire international community, to scale the last remaining metres of the mountain to secure the peace and to secure Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU future. Together, we can do it. Together, we will succeed.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“I would also like to thank personally Ambassador Ivan Barbalic' for his dedicated work, his commitment, his professionalism and his idealism. 11-59360 As we look to the future, I wish to assure the Council that I am fully committed to carrying out my mandate to the letter and ensuring that the Peace Agreement is fully respected. The way forward is not to go backwards. I am also committed to assisting Peter Sorensen in his duties as European Union Special Representative, in every way possible to advance the EU agenda.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“I am truly convinced that this can become a reality if we remain committed to the cause and if we finally see a fundamental change in the way politics are conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with dialogue and healthy compromise becoming the rule rather than the exception. In spite of the challenges Bosnia and Herzegovina faces today, I would like to congratulate the country on its tenure as a member of this body and for the excellent job it has done. Security Council membership has given Bosnia and Herzegovina the opportunity to make new friends around the world and gain the respect of many countries, and should be counted as a significant foreign policy success. In my personal opinion, it is the country's biggest foreign policy success since Dayton.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“I do not share this view, and believe that such moves would open the door to those who would attempt to weaken and eventually divide the State, and could lead to renewed disorder. The international community has achieved tremendous results in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past 15 years. However, it is clear from the current political situation that we have not yet achieved a lasting and sustainable political settlement that would ensure a durable prospect for peace. Our continued commitment to and focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina is the way to get to the objective that we all want to reach - a Bosnia and Herzegovina that is stable, safe and solving its problems institutionally as it moves towards full Euro-Atlantic integration.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“In this regard, allow me to say a few words on how I think the international community should approach Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future. We all agree that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is within the European Union and Euro- Atlantic institutions. The EU and NATO therefore have an important role to play in Bosnia and Herzegovina in assisting the country to fulfil the requirements for its aspirations to membership of both organizations. It is important that Bosnia and Herzegovina remain on the international community's agenda until the job is complete. There are some who believe that it is time now to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina on its own; some talk about international fatigue in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“The Dayton Agreement is at its heart a peace treaty, and every day we see signs that, should it unravel, serious consequences could emerge not only for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for the region and the broader international community. Given the continued negative trends and political instability, it is essential that the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a Chapter VII executive mandate, remain in place and continue to assist the Office of the High Representative and other international organizations to fulfil their respective mandates. While we must now focus on the immediate difficulties, I believe that it is also important to take a critical look at what we need to do to secure a functional and viable country in the long term. It is clear that we need to support the ownership principle in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Given What I continue to see, there is still a Clear need for my Office to remain in place in order to fill such legal gaps and maintain stability. This need will continue until such time as Bosnia and Herzegovina is self-sustainable and firmly and irreversibly on the path towards EU and NATO integration. Something similar to this approach played out in my own country, Austria, after its liberation by American, Russian, French and British soldiers in 1945. The allied forces stayed until they were sure there would be no revival of Nazism and that democracy was firmly rooted in the country. My core mandate is to oversee the Dayton Peace Agreement.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Difficulties have also arisen in the Federation, and 16 years after the Peace Agreement was signed there continues to be a need for my Office to step in to address large gaps in the country's legal system that create significant legal and political problems for the country. I had to intervene in July in the Central Bosnia Canton to address an attempt to ignore the Constitution and form a Government that could have raised tensions to an unacceptable level. Due to my intervention - not using my Bonn powers but in the form of a letter - the local parties have been able to resolve the situation in line with the constitution, and pave the way for the formation of Governments in other cantons and possibly even at the State level.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“The authorities have also continued to undermine and question other key State-level institutions in the country. It is difficult to avoid a perception that the intention is to portray institutions as dysfunctional and therefore not needed at the State level. This is the wrong approach. Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entities will turn a corner 3 decisively only when political leaders understand that the entities and State will be strong only when both levels of Government are strong; both will go from strength to strength only when they work together and the State is given the support it needs to be effective.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“I have long warned about the serious damage this rhetoric is doing, and I take this opportunity to again call on Bosnia and Herzegovina's leaders to contribute to fostering reconciliation, dialogue and coexistence, rather than spreading chauvinism, fear and mistrust. Given the aforementioned negative trends and actions, it is not surprising that there has not been significant movement on the EU agenda or on NATO membership. Nor has there been any movement towards fulfilling the five objectives and two conditions necessary for the closure of my Office. I am also deeply concerned about the situation with respect to the rule of law, as Republika Srpska regularly questions the very competences of the State- level judicial institutions, including the jurisdiction and role of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitutional Court itself.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“These statements, which undermine the constitutional arrangements provided for under the Dayton Peace Agreement, need to be taken seriously, especially in light of other actions directly challenging the Agreement, as set out in my current and previous reports. Some Federation officials and politicians have also used unwelcome rhetoric, as detailed in my report. The two leading Croat parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to question the legality and legitimacy of the incumbent Federation Government. Some Bosniak political leaders have escalated their rhetoric in response to statements from the Republika Srpska leadership and warned of possible conflict were there an attempt to divide the country.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Unfortunately, the arrest of Mladie was not accompanied by a decline in the use of inflammatory nationalistic rhetoric, including further statements by officials of the Republika Srpska in support of State dissolution and chauvinistic comments directed against other ethnic groups. In this regard, I would like to 11-59360 express my deep concern about recent public statements from the Republika Srpska that challenge the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina by characterizing it as a "state union" - "drzavna zajednica" - ignoring the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with Slovenia and Croatia, was admitted as a Member State to the United Nations on 22 May 1992, through a direct and unanimous recommendation of the Security Council on 18 May of that year.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“In that regard and in keeping with the principle of local political ownership, during the reporting period I maintained the long-standing policy of refraining from the use of my executive mandate unless absolutely necessary, despite the ongoing political difficulties. In fact, the only case in the past six months in which I used my executive authorities was in order to lift sanctions imposed by my predecessors in connection with non-cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). I did this following the capture and transfer to The Hague of Ratko Mladic', the last ICTY fugitive accused of crimes connected to the Bosnian war. I therefore lifted the ban, which was my only use of my executive powers over the past six months.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Although the 13 April adoption by the Republika Srpska National Assembly of a referendum decision was repealed on 1 June, the controversial conclusions of the same date continue to influence Republika Srpska policies in regard to both the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and my Office and mandate. I should point out that the Republika Srpska repealed its referendum decision only after the direct, personal intervention of Lady Catherine Ashton, the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Lady Ashton for her efforts, which enabled me to avoid the use of my executive mandate, which at this point is a process that I am keen to refrain from using whenever it is possible to resolve difficulties by other means.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“The European Union and the Euro-Atlantic integration processes effectively remain blocked due to the continued adherence to narrow ethno-nationalist policies. Not surprisingly, the economy continues to suffer. In that context, international credit-rating agencies downgraded the country's outlook, not for economic reasons but specifically citing the negative political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In its 11-59360 annual progress report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Commission also noted the country's political problems. During the reporting period, Republika Srpska continued its legal and political actions and sharp rhetoric that have challenged Bosnia and Herzegovina's State-level institutions, competencies and laws, and my authority under the Dayton Agreement, as well as relevant resolutions of the Security Council.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“One of the basic reasons for those challenges lies at the core of Bosnia and Herzegovina's political culture, in which politicians show little willingness to compromise, avoiding dialogue on crucial issues and regularly misusing the system. More than 12 months after the general elections, the State-level Council of Ministers has yet to be formed and many State institutions are under serious political, institutional and economic pressure, with a clear impact on their efficiency and functionality. A State-level budget for 2011 has yet to be passed, and the State-level institutions are struggling under temporary financing. The prospect of a budget being adopted soon for 2011, or for 2012, appears distant.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“I would note that Serbian President Boris Tadie and Croatian President Ivo Josipovie have continued their policies of positive engagement, and that the regional situation remains better than at any other point since the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since my last report (8/2011/283), however, Bosnia and Herzegovina itself has continued to see political stagnation and some backsliding. When I spoke to the Council in May (see S/PV.6529), I was forced to submit a special report that detailed serious violations of the Dayton Agreement by one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's two entities. Sadly, since that time and in spite of the good will of the international community, the challenges to the Dayton Agreement have continued.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“through that collaboration, I expect us to demonstrate the international community's unity and strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina as it pursues its aspirations to Euro-Atlantic integration, while fully ensuring that the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina - the Dayton-Paris Peace 2 Accords - are integrally respected and implemented, and that internal reforms to implement those agreements is not endangered. (spoke in English) When I spoke to the Council one year ago (see S/PV.6421), I noted with reserved optimism that, in spite of all the difficulties that Bosnia and Herzegovina was facing, the previous year had brought a number of positive developments, especially in the context of regional cooperation and reconciliation and Visa-free travel to the European Union (EU).”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“I appreciate this opportunity to introduce my sixth report as High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina - the fortieth report of the High Representative (see S/201 1/682). My briefing today is my first statement as High Representative since my duties as European Union Special Representative were assumed by the new Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Peter Sorensen. We are working together in close and even friendly relations.”
2011-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6659 (2011) · source
“Our continued attention on Bosnia and Herzegovina is the way to get to the objective that we all want to reach, in which Bosnia and Herzegovina is 11-32875 able to solve its problems institutionally and on its own and move towards full Euro-Atlantic integration with full ownership of responsibilities. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a gold mine of talent and full of people of excellence. We have to give those people and the country a chance. They can do it, I am sure. They only need some time and some patience. I am truly convinced that this can become a reality. I will, as High Representative and with the Security Council's help, therefore continue to dedicate all my efforts to assisting and supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina's efforts in this direction.”
2011-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6529 (2011) · source
“I do not share this View, and believe that such moves would open the door to those who would attempt to weaken and eventually divide the State, which could lead to renewed disorder. The international community has achieved tremendous results in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past 15 years. However, it is clear from the current political situation that we have not yet achieved a lasting and sustainable political settlement that would ensure a durable prospect of peace. To that end, we also enjoy very good support from neighbouring countries, President Tadie of Serbia and President Josipovic of Croatia. One can say with some confidence that we now have the best regional situation of the past 20 years. This is not only about regional cooperation; it is also about regional reconciliation. That gives us reason to be optimistic.”
2011-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6529 (2011) · source
“There are serious challenges to the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina coming from within the country, which demand the presence of the Office of the High Representative and the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina with an executive mandate. We should have sufficient tools to prevent attempts aimed at rolling back the previously agreed reforms and at creating instability. It is important that Bosnia and Herzegovina remain on the international community's agenda until the job is completed. There are some who believe that it is now time to leave Bosnia and Herzegovina on its own; some talk about international fatigue in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has also been repeated over the past two years that Bosnia and Herzegovina is no longer the focus of the international community.”
2011-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6529 (2011) · source
“In this regard, allow me to say a few words on how I think the international community should approach Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future. We all agree that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is within the European Union and Euro-Atlantic institutions. The EU and NATO therefore have an important role to play in Bosnia and Herzegovina in assisting the country to fulfil the requirements for its aspirations to membership in both organizations. This, by the way, is also the wish of the State Presidency. At the same time, the need for an international presence with an executive mandate in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still evident.”
2011-05-09 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6529 (2011) · source