Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples, Bariša Čolak and Ognjen Tadić, at the 18th meeting of the Association of European Senates

The role of upper houses of parliaments contributes significantly to the promotion of European values ​​and consolidation of democracy in European countries, especially when facing serious challenges such as terrorism and refugee crisis, it was concluded at the 18^th meeting of the Association of European Senates which ended today in Brdo pri Kranju in Slovenia.

At the two-day conference, which was attended by the Speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH), Bariša Čolak, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples, Ognjen Tadić, debate was held about the need and possibility of establishing a European senate, or upper house of the European Parliament, as well as the challenges faced today by European senates.

In his address to the presidents and representatives of the Senates from 15 European countries, the Speaker Čolak reminded of the fact that the PABiH, as a bicameral institution, with its constitutional status, structure and responsibilities reflects the character of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a complex state community established by the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Emphasizing full equality of PABiH houses and the specific constitutional role of the House of Peoples in protection of the vital national interests of the constituent peoples, Čolak said that the issue of vital national interest in this House was initiated 15 times in total, of which the Caucus of Bosniaks used that right 13 times, Croat Caucus twice, while Caucus of Serbs did not use this possibility because they have a double "veto" in both PABiH Houses.

Noting the urgency for the reform of the Constitution and the electoral legislation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure the legitimacy of the election of BiH Presidency members and delegates in the houses of peoples, Čolak advocated for an increase in the number of delegates in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly, which would, he said, contribute to better organization and efficiency of PABiH, as the highest legislative institution in the country.

According to Čolak, a unicameral parliamentary system, based on the principle of one man - one vote, in multinational countries often leads to outvoting of less-numerous people. Therefore, the role and importance of the Senate, especially in multinational states, should be without prejudice, concluded Speaker Čolak.

The participants of the session were also addressed by the Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar, presidents of Senates of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the Vice President of the Council of the Russian Federation, as well as the Secretary of the Senate of France.

Next, 19^th, meeting of the Association of European Senates, will be organized by the Senate of Romania next year. (End)