Members of the Collegium and representatives of the parliamentary caucuses of both Houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the Second High-Level Political Forum between the EU and BiH

Members of the Collegium and representatives of parliamentary caucuses and delegates from both Houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH) participated today in Brussels in the second meeting of the High-Level Political Forum between the European Union (EU) and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The forum was jointly organized by the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, and the Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana Krišto.

Following introductory remarks from Commissioner Várhelyi and Chair Krišto, the participants were addressed by the Speaker of the House of Peoples, Kemal Ademović, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of PABiH, Marinko Čavara, and the Deputy Speakers of the House of Peoples, Dr. Dragan Čović and Dr. Nikola Špirić, as well as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Denis Zvizdić.

During the meeting, in addition to other officials from the entities, Brčko District, and cantons, the following representatives addressed the participants: Šerif Špago, the Chair of the SDA Parliamentary Caucus in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PABiH); Safet Softić, a member of the Caucus of Bosniak People in the House of Peoples of PABiH; Marina Pendeš, the Chair of the Caucus of Croatian People in the House of Peoples; Saša Magazinović, the Chair of the SDP Caucus in the House of Representatives; Nenad Grković, a member of the Caucus of SDS-PDP-For Justice and Order in the House of Representatives; Darijana Filipović, the Deputy Chair of the Caucus of HDZ BiH, HSS, HKDU BiH, HSP – HNS, HSP DR AS BiH, HDU BiH; Nihad Omerović, the Chair of the Caucus of People and Justice in the House of Representatives; and Čedomir Stojanović, the Chair of the Serbian Caucus in the House of Representatives.

It was highlighted that today's meeting proves that Bosnia and Herzegovina continues its European path through joint and dedicated efforts, and it was noted that much better results can be achieved with increased efforts.

In the conclusions, it was emphasized that the candidate status has led to a political consensus among political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had not been witnessed before. Commissioner Várhelyi highlighted the noticeable positive impact of the new political structure and expressed that the EU Ministerial Council was right in proposing the opening of accession negotiations.

Várhelyi also assessed that, after today's event which he deemed to be quite encouraging, it is clear that there is a shared understanding of the direction to be taken and what needs to be done to achieve the set goal. At the same time, there is a visible desire to achieve results at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In conclusion, he urged the executive authorities to use every moment to fulfil the priority tasks necessary for the opening of the negotiation process. (end)