Member of the House of Representatives Saša Magazinović held a meeting with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina

“European values are demonstrated through actions, not statements”

Saša Magazinović, a member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (PA BiH), held a meeting today with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Henk van den Dool.

The interlocutors discussed the pace of fulfilling key reform priorities on the path toward the European Union, the fight against corruption in public procurement processes, and support for citizens and the economy through temporary reductions or the abolition of excise duties on petroleum products.

Ambassador Van den Dool reiterated the strong and consistent commitment of the Netherlands to support EU enlargement, emphasizing that reforms in the judiciary, the fight against corruption, and the strengthening of the rule of law are crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress.

Magazinović informed the ambassador about legislative processes in the House of Representatives of the PA BiH, recalling that two key anti-corruption laws—the Law on Public Procurement and the accompanying amendments to the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina—have been awaiting a vote by the House of Peoples of the PA BiH for an unacceptably long time. These laws prevent the theft of public funds through public procurement and impose severe penalties on those who engage in such actions, Magazinović said, adding that experts consider these two laws to be the most significant anti-corruption reform in the past 20 years.

He stated that a significant number of powerful politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina only declaratively support European integration, while in practice they do everything to slow down or completely stop the reform processes. “When we talk about the European path, we are essentially talking about the fight against corruption and strengthening institutions,” Magazinović emphasized.

He assessed that the Law on Excise Duties, adopted yesterday in the House of Representatives, represents a powerful tool that the Council of Ministers can use to reduce fuel prices and prevent chain price increases at a time when the entire world is facing serious economic challenges and when maintaining stability is essential.

Ambassador Van den Dool reiterated a firm position that the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be fully respected, and that provocative and secessionist activities that undermine the country’s stability are unacceptable. This position is part of the broader policy of the Netherlands, which, through its engagement in the EUFOR Althea mission, contributes to maintaining security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and countering destabilizing political and external influences.

At the end of the meeting, Magazinović emphasized that cooperation with countries such as the Netherlands represents strong support for all actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina who advocate for functional institutions, the rule of law, and European standards, and that such partnerships provide additional momentum to efforts aimed at ensuring a better quality of life for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Press release from the SDP BiH Caucus in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina)