The Speakers of both Houses of BiH Parliamentary Assembly met the Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Noting that BiH is taking over the chairing of the CoE at a very difficult time, Ms. Brasseur emphasized that this is a huge responsibility, as well as an opportunity, for BiH to be the focus European Institution attention, as well as to make significant reform steps, in terms of improving the economic situation and resolving more difficult issues, such as constitutional change and changes to electoral legislation. 

Ms. Brasseur emphasized that she is glad that our country set as the priority of its CoE chairmanship the following: the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, the protection of cultural heritage and the improvement of inter-religious dialogue, and offered all necessary assistance to realize these priorities and aims over the following six months. 

Thanking Ms. Brasseur for the assistance offered and showing our State’s clear determination to fulfil all tasks during its six month chairmanship, the Speaker of HoR of the BiH PA, Džaferović, stated that chairing the CoE is an honour and an obligation. 

Speaking of priorities and reforms, Chair Džaferović emphasized that the economic situation has to be improved, and a better legislative framework for the fight against corruption and crime established. According to Speaker Džaferović, more complex reforms are coming into play, such as the implementation of the European Court Decisions in Cases Sejdić - Finci, as well as Zornić v. BiH. In order for this to happen, Džaferović underlined, all deteriorating rhetoric has to be removed, and both dialogue and a constructive political atmosphere established, expected after the last General Elections. The Speaker of the HoP of the BiH PA, Bariša Čolak, estimated that BiH’s priority, after the entry into force of the Stabilisation Association Agreement, will be to establish an efficient co-ordination mechanism without which, he stated, it is impossible to take the reform steps necessary to allow BiH a credible application to join the European Union.