YouSaid · the spoken record

Spirie

lines on the record: 41
first: 2008-05-19
most recent: 2009-05-28
sittings or episodes: 3
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

“Without seeking to qualify the report in any way, I note that no one is exclusively guilty or absolutely blameless for what has happened in Bosnia and Herzegovina, either before or after the Dayton Accords. Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community must find a way to stop identifying scapegoats and turn to seeking better solutions. I am personally of the opinion that not only is Bosnia and Herzegovina a greater success than is reflected in the report, but also that there is greater optimism within the country that will bring us further success.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“It must go hand in hand with realistic goals, and its ultimate success will require us to ensure conditions in which civilized dialogue is possible. I deem of the highest importance the fact that such reform must be the fruit of internal dialogue and compromise based on the Dayton Peace Agreement. The assistance of international institutions in the form of good advice is certainly more than welcome. Such assistance will certainly result in achievable constitutional reform. There are some who feel or hope that constitutional reform that will come through pressure or diktat from Washington, DC, or Brussels. I believe that this approach would not only be a waste of time, but also lead to instability. On an earlier occasion, I have had an opportunity to read the High Representative's report before the Council (see S/2009/246).”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“It is for this reason that I have launched an initiative before the Regional Cooperation Council secretariat, headquartered in Sarajevo, to found an investment bank for South-East Europe. Taking into account the economic challenges to the region, as well as the European Commission's announcement that the new strategy for the countries of South-East Europe will prioritize economic development and regional cooperation through joint projects, I believe that this is the right time to launch such an initiative. As Council members know, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that has managed to fulfil various requirements, implement reforms and address difficult issues emerging on its European path, with varying success. I concur that this is the year in which we will have to face constitutional reform as a new challenge.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“The establishment of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Fiscal Council and its efficient operation have led to a coordinated approach to the issue, which has resulted in successful negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. This example shows that when Bosnia and Herzegovina speaks with one voice, it is possible to reach agreement even on the most delicate issues. The goal of such a package is to preserve macroeconomic stability in the midterm and ensure further economic growth. I take this opportunity to express my concern over the absence of a regional and European dimension in resolving this issue, as I am almost certain that Bosnia and Herzegovina, like any other State acting on its own, will not be able to address the challenges presented by the economic crisis.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“Bosnia and Herzegovina remains fully committed to full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal; hence, over the past period we have adopted a strategy to reform the judiciary system and address war-crime- re1ated matters, as well as a decision to set up a supervisory authority for monitoring the implementation of the said strategy. Considering the importance of the issue of the return of refugees and displaced persons, we identified and adopted a revised strategy for the implementation of annex 7, which was subsequently adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly. The issues of the global economic crisis and of mitigating its consequences in Bosnia and Herzegovina have dominated the past period.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“As a fundamental principle of international law and pursuant to Bosnian domestic law, these cannot be amended or modified except by further agreement of the relevant parties. The Security Council should support the Dayton Accords as the binding legal framework for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Attempts by foreign States or international organizations to impose a system of governance that is inconsistent with the Dayton Accords through the exercise of peremptory powers or other methods will not be legally valid, and such actions would not have the support of Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens. The consensus on which the legitimacy of all Governments ultimately rests must come from within.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“The State of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entities have the legal and moral obligations to protect the rights of their citizens as set forth in their laws, constitutions and human rights instruments, and to adhere to general principles of international law and the rule of law. It is now time for the international community to end any support for peremptory powers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and instead to support the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entities in the discharge of their legal and moral obligations. The agreements that constitute the Dayton Accords, including the Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitution set forth in annex 4, are the legal instruments to which the relevant parties are bound as the framework for enduring peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“In addition, we have issued a decision to establish the property census, which is a prerequisite for adopting the law and for the ultimate resolution of the issue. We are determined to fully attain the said goals so as to enable the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council to issue a decision in November to transform the Office of the High Representative into the Office of the European Union Special Representative. Democracy, good governance and the rule of law cannot continue to develop within Bosnia and Herzegovina if the fundamental principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law are not observed by the very international representatives who claim to seek their establishment.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“The level of Action Plan implementation, which has exceeded 85 per cent of the total of 291 activities, further corroborates the high level of success of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the process of acceding to NATO. We have also focused on attaining the goals for Bosnian institutions set by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council. In that respect, the Council of Ministers took the initiative to push forward the constitutional amendment related to the status of Brcko District, which was subsequently adopted by the vast majority of the members of the Parliamentarian Assembly. We have also adopted a strategy to reform our judiciary system and address war crimes, by which we have completed the goal related to the establishment of the rule of law.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“The goal of our adoption of these laws is to send a clear message to Brussels that we are resolute, which gives us due cause to expect that the visa regime will be liberalized by the end of this year or possibly early next year. I hereby wish to urge Council members to encourage the European Commission to expedite its procedures and thus further strengthen the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards NATO, at its thematic session devoted to the issue the Council of Ministers discussed the level of implementation of the plan of action for the implementation of the Individual Partnership Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Action Plan is the most important document for Bosnia's further progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“I expect that, when we return to Bosnia and Herzegovina, we shall be in a position to forward the new wording of the laws to Parliament and fulfil the remaining requirements for the visa regime liberalization. The messages that United States Vice- President Joseph Biden and the EU High Representative for Security Policy, Mr. Xavier Solana, sent during their recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina are strong encouragement on that path. The White Schengen list for our citizens would certainly strengthen the European idea within Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide incentives to the forces that are unequivocally committed to those processes.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“I am well aware of the importance of this issue for Bosnian citizens, given the fact that we are behind other countries in the region in fulfilling the requirements, and that six crucial laws required for the visa regime liberalization have not received the necessary support within the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament. Therefore, at the penultimate session of the Council of Ministers, I tasked the State-level ministers with convening a mini-ministerial conference as soon as possible, to be attended by the responsible State and entity ministers, and with producing a harmonized wording of the said laws, which would subsequently be forwarded by the Council of Ministers to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliament in a summary procedure.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“Domestic authorities have been involved in implementing the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will remain in force until the full ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. The quarterly report indicates that, as of 31 December 2008, all requirements for the period had been met in a timely manner and in line with the action plan adopted by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers. That trend continues in 2009. As regards the liberalization of the visa regime for Bosnian citizens, we have focused on fulfilling the requirements as laid down in the road map. Of 174 requirements set forth in the document, we have fully met 149, 18 are being fulfilled, and 7 are still to be met.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“Since December, we have held 19 sessions, two of which were thematic - one devoted to European integration and another devoted to NATO integration. As regards our goal to attain full membership of the European Union, over the past period the Council of Ministers has focused on adopting laws and meeting the requirements of the action plan for the implementation of the European Partnership commitments, and we have discussed and adopted 37 bills and draft laws, eight of which are related to the European Partnership. We have also issued a number of decisions and strategies that, in practice, constitute the fulfilment of the European Partnership requirements.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“Despite different views as to the successes, impasses and failures of my country during the reporting period, I can agree that all of us in Bosnia and Herzegovina could and should have done more to make progress towards integration into the European Union (EU) and NATO at a faster pace. In order to do so, Bosnia and Herzegovina must have more confidence in itself and political leaders must work more and expect less. The much-needed compromise must be viewed as a virtue, not a weakness. Guided by this idea, the Council of Ministers has been doing its best to ensure the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its Euro-Atlantic road in an environment that, more often than not, has not been one of compromise, dialogue and consensus.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“Mr. Spirie (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (spoke in Bosnian; interpretation provided by the delegation): May I first convey my warmest greetings to everyone and express my pleasure at having once again been given an opportunity to share my views with this body about the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the challenges we face. I would also like to avail myself of this opportunity to welcome the new High Representative, Mr. Valentin Inzko, who is the third High Representative during my time in office. I wish him a successful tenure, which would also redound to my country's success. This is also an opportunity for me to express my readiness to cooperate with his Office, thereby contributing to achieving the objective.”
2009-05-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6130 (2009) · source
“A successful methodology that has been used in one place cannot become a mere blueprint for the next, because there is no guarantee that it will be useful in other places. Each individual crisis should be approached without prejudging it and should be carefully analysed with respect to how and where particular lessons learned could be applied and where new, original models have to be developed.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“I would like once again to emphasize that only citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and not the Office of the High Representative nor the international community, can create a future based on compromise. In my opinion, the following lesson has been learned in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the international community's engagement in post-conflict countries is not just needed but necessary, but it must be precisely defined and limited and have a clear exit strategy. Otherwise, sooner or later, that engagement will become counterproductive. At the same time, one should bear in mind that every crisis in the world has its own specificities and should therefore be approached analytically, taking into account the roots of the crisis and the culture, history, civilization, religion and customs of the people living there.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“I know that the beginning will be painful, but I am sure that that is the only way for us to realize that all of us living in Bosnia and Herzegovina must turn to each other. That is the only way to establish the necessary dialogue among elected officials. I also think that Bosnia and Herzegovina, like any other post-conflict country, needs to build trust within, along with dialogue and reforms. I daresay that the building of trust is more important that any reform. When dialogue, respect and fruitful discussion prevail, we can say that we are making good progress. It is in striving to reach that goal that we, the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, need each other the most.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“One should bear in mind that the international community, which undoubtedly had the best of intentions, created major dependences among local politicians. I have repeatedly said that domestic politicians feel that they do not have to deal with or discuss difficult issues or seek compromise, because they know that the representatives of the international community will do it for them. That is not the right way to do things. Given everything I have mentioned, I am convinced that Bosnia and Herzegovina needs to take a new step forward and move into a new stage. I would call it a sobering-up phase. Now is the time to realize that we must step out of the wheelchair and take responsibility for crucial processes, not just formally but substantively. It is time for our friends to advise and support us, but not to speak and work in our place.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“I do not want to argue that that was not necessary immediately following the war in order for progress to take place, but today we must reconsider those powers, for many have found them to be very much in conflict with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I believe that those powers also contradict the Brussels road map for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Moreover, the Council would agree that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2008 is significantly different from the circumstances in 1995 or 1996. It is therefore almost certain that, more than 10 years after Dayton, the model for administering Bosnia and Herzegovina through the High Representative and his Office has been exhausted and that it is now time to look for a new formula for success in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation for the international community's involvement in the post-conflict recovery of my country. Many great things have been done, from its active role in stopping the war - the most important thing - to its active participation in, and support for, the reforms. From the very end of the war, the international community has implemented a special model of indirect rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the High Representative and his Office and the strong powers conferred by the Bonn Conference, which has now resulted in various disputes. Those powers included the ability of the High Representative to remove elected officials and to impose laws and decisions.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Everything that I have mentioned serves to prove that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made progress in the recent past. I am fully aware that more could have been done, although we still face many unresolved issues and difficult challenges. I would like to remind the Council that, just 13 years ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina was in the midst of a bloody war. Since then we have been the only country in Europe to experience three extremely difficult and demanding processes, namely, the reconstruction of a war-ravaged country, the re-establishment of trust between three former warring factions and the process of transition and Euro-Atlantic integration. Those processes have been very difficult but, with the help of the international community, we have successfully concluded that phase of the Dayton Accord.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Sarajevo has been chosen as the headquarters of the Regional Cooperation Council centre for South-Eastern Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina has also become a member of the Human Rights Council. And, in December 2007, we initialled the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union. After fulfilling the final political requirement for the signing of the Agreement, we expect that Brussels will inform us of the date for the signing ceremony. It is important to mention that Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently participating in six United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world: three military missions - in Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq - and 08-34704 three police missions - in Liberia, Cyprus and the Sudan.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant progress in the economic realm. Although we may agree that it is not yet satisfactory, there is no question that the economy is on the right track. In 2007, the real growth rate in the gross domestic product was 6.1 per cent. The projected growth rate for 2008 is 6.5 per cent. Further growth is expected in 2009 and 2010. Foreign direct investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina reached record highs during 2007. The reforms and economic progress to which I have just referred have been accompanied by accomplishments with regard to relations with neighbouring countries and foreign policy as a whole. Bosnia and Herzegovina has become a member of the Council of Europe and the Partnership for Peace.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“We have established a unified intelligence sector by successfully emerging two previously opposed intelligence agencies into a State-level body with all the responsibilities of any modern intelligence service anywhere in the world. The process of reforming the taxation system was significantly advanced through the introduction of a value-added tax that ensures a steady inflow of revenue and reduces tax evasion and the grey economy. We have implemented justice system reform and begun trials for war crimes suspects within the justice system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are now working on education reform and have thus far adopted all the necessary legislation. We are actively working on public administration reform, and even reform of the sports sector is under way.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“With various degrees of success and with the assistance of the international community, since 1995 Bosnia and Herzegovina has overcome many obstacles, faced many challenges and carried out many reforms. I would like to mention a few. Defence reform has been successfully completed, which is considered to be the best reform project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. That reform has led Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the Partnership for Peace, thereby enabling my country to cease being a mere consumer of NATO peace operations and become an ally in the peace operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the Bucharest NATO summit, NATO member States decided to initiate an intensive dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are also committed to working towards full membership of NATO.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“The Dayton Peace Accord ensured the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its constitutional framework, under which the country consists of two entities - the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - with a clear constitutional basis. A formula was therefore established that would mean success for all. A strong State means strong entities and strong entities mean a strong State; or, to use terms from the world of sport, strong football clubs make for a strong national team. Unfortunately, some would like to change that formula without offering a better one in its place, a problem that confirms the very vision of the authors of Dayton Peace Accord.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“I come from a country where a tragic conflict took place between 1992 and 1995 ending with the Dayton Peace Accord, which was negotiated under the auspices of the international community. I use the term "tragic conflict" deliberately, given the fact that the term was used by the authors of the Dayton Peace Accord. Such a definition, avoiding words such as aggression and civil war, makes it possible to take a more courageous step out of an inglorious and unfortunate past that cannot be changed. Such a step will, hopefully, lead us into a future that includes coexistence, tolerance, reconciliation and forgiveness as guarantees for the ultimate success of my country.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Mr. Spirie (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (spoke in Bosnian; English text provided by the delegation): At the outset, I would like to express my condolences to the peoples of China and Myanmar on the occasion of the tragic catastrophes that took place in those countries. I would like to thank you very much, Mr. President, for convening this meeting on such an important subject as post-conflict peacebuilding. Please let me express my appreciation for the opportunity to address the Security Council during this important debate in order to share with it the experiences of my country since 1995 and to share my views regarding the international community's involvement in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“If some in our country - even ministers or other high dignitaries of power - are allowed to believe themselves to be above the law, I am not sure that we will be perceived as reliable partners to anyone. In that regard, I hope for the strong support of the international community and this body. Once again, let me take this opportunity to stress that Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation, which we consider to be important to our common aspiration to European integration. Finally, I would like to thank the High Representative for his new approach, which includes raising awareness of the importance of reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina without using his Bonn powers.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Updating the agreement is possible and desirable, but it has to be the result of internal consensus and compromise and never imposed from abroad. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Constitution should be reformed in such a way as not to represent an obstacle to Euro-Atlantic integration. A denial of the Entities, which some promote, is not a precondition of successful constitutional reform and could even generate instability, with unforeseeable consequences. Please allow me to underline the importance of an issue that has somehow been marginalized, either intentionally or not. The rule of law is the foundation on which the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the legal protection of its citizens are based. Building the rule of law is the only guarantee that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a reliable partner of the international community.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“We have not succeeded in adopting a State property law, reaching agreement on a methodology for determining the permanent ratio for VAT revenue distribution, or adopting a justice sector reform strategy or a war crimes strategy. We will continue to hard work on those issues, and I am convinced that we will reach mutually acceptable solutions. Constitutional reform is one of the ongoing challenges we face. My position on the issue is clear. Constitutional reform cannot be based on denials, either of the Washington or of the Dayton Agreements. Therefore, I recommend to all that we revert to the original form of the Washington and Dayton Agreements. I would like openly to warn those who seek to challenge the Dayton Agreement that such an approach can jeopardize the results already achieved.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Direct foreign investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina reached record highs in 2007. The main problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy remains the high unemployment rate, the optimal solution of which is an increase in green-field investments. For that reason, together with the Entity Prime Ministers, I have decided to support the convening of the Crans Montana Forum in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to ensure the positive promotion of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to attract foreign investments. All of this testifies to the progress that has been achieved in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but, honestly speaking, certain outstanding obligations remain.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“The representative of the European Union monitoring mission, who evaluates reform processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has assessed the cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the ICTY as satisfactory. We will pursue our hard work on public administration reform, on which visible though insufficient progress has been achieved recently. With respect to the economy, we may agree that it is not yet satisfactory, but it is unquestionably on the right track. The real growth rate of the gross domestic product in 2007 was 6.1 per cent. The projected growth rate in 2008 is 6.5 per cent, and further growth is expected in 2009 and 2010. A major contribution to economic growth is expected from an increase in exports, industrial production and investments, and particularly from foreign investments, which are demonstrating continuous growth.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“The establishment of that agency and its successful functioning will encourage the coordination of the activities of all bodies and institutions working in the field of education. Cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is an issue that has long burdened domestic institutions and relations within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council of Ministers is fully committed to the final resolution of that issue and the closing of that chapter. We are doing our utmost in that respect. Domestic institutions, together with representatives of international agencies, exert continuous pressure on persons suspected of aiding war-crimes suspects.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Special emphasis has been placed on educational reform, ultimately supported by the adoption of a law on vocational education and training, a decision on adopting documents necessary for the further implementation of the Bologna process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a decision to establish a centre for information and recognition of higher education diplomas, and a decision to establish the Higher Education Development Agency. Together with the Entity Prime Ministers and the Mayor of Brcko District, I signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the Conference of Ministers of Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the highest standing advisory body in that field.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“We now rightly expect Brussels to set the date for the signing ceremony and for the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue fulfilling the conditions that the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council has defined. The Council of Ministers has adopted numerous important laws and decisions, including a law on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, a law on the Fiscal Council, a law on the protection and rescue of humans and assets from natural and other disasters, a law on agriculture and rural development, a law on sports and others. We expect timely action by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to adopt the proposed legislation.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“The Council of Ministers took the lead role in that reform. Although the parliamentary majority showed a lack of willingness and understanding in support of the reform at the very last moment, I am particularly glad that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the proposed legislation, whereby we fulfilled the final political condition for signing the Agreement. I hope that lessons have been learned from the earlier failures of domestic institutions to assume the lead role in the reform process. Those institutions should not be bypassed or completely excluded, as was the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“The Council of Ministers functioned as a caretaker Government between October 2007 and February 2008, but that did not prevent us from addressing the numerous challenges and difficult tasks before us. European integration and full membership in NATO have been the two main guidelines of our work. Brussels recognized our work by initialling the Stabilization and Association Agreement, and NATO by introducing intensive dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which we strongly appreciate. At the same time, it has encouraged us to continue working to meet the requirements for full NATO membership. The initialling of the Stabilization and Association Agreement posed many challenges to the Council of Ministers, the most serious of which was police reform, an issue that remained pending after many unsuccessful attempts to resolve it.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Mr. Spirie (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (spoke in Bosnian; interpretation provided by the delegation): At the outset, let me express my pleasure at being here again since my last visit in November 2007, although in significantly different circumstances. As members may recall, Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced major turbulence in November 2007. I am pleased to report today that our authorities have demonstrated the sense of dialogue and compromise so badly needed if Bosnia and Herzegovina is to succeed, proving that we are able to manage a crisis and not be managed by it. Since November 2007, many positive developments have taken place in my country.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source