Bosnia and Herzegovina: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell during his visit

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Thank you, thank you very much to all of you for attending this ceremony at the EUFOR Butmir camp, here in Sarajevo.

This mission was launched in December 2004, then the European Union launched Operation Althea. This was done with the intent to help ensure safety and security in our neighbourhood – Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of our neighbourhood - and to train its Armed Forces. And I think that we can be very proud about the results that we have achieved, together, in this multinational force. I have been saluting soldiers and officers from several European Union Member States and beyond because there are also from Chile, from Turkey, this is a multinational force in the broad sense of the word.

Recently we have decided to deploy the reserve forces of EUFOR. It means than 500 more staff have been recently incorporated into this camp. This is, and has to be understood, as a precautionary measure. As we speak, right now, there are no serious threats to the safety and security in the environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Nevertheless, I considered that it was necessary to increase our capacities, to show that we are determined to maintain the stability, and to increase the capacity to react swiftly - in case of crisis - with the [Operation] Althea people.

This message of determination and commitment is more necessary than ever, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With this invasion, war is back on the European soil. And we are witnessing extreme human suffering, thousands of lives lost, and millions – millions - of refugees fleeing.

The impact of the war in Ukraine cannot be overrated. It will affect our thinking about security, about investments in defence, our resilience, our energy supplies and our food security. The shock waves of the Ukrainian war, of the Ukraine’s invasion, will disturb the world economy and will create problems that go beyond the Ukrainian territory.

And this means that also the stability and security of the Western Balkans can be affected, and we consider that more important today - more important than ever.

The doubling of troops here will provide reassurance and confidence to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina through increased patrols and visibility of the troops with all the impressive material with which they are equipped.

I want to send a clear message to those who may want to destabilise Europe and, in particular, to affect the peace and stability in the Western Balkans. The Althea mission is ready to protect the peace and stability in this country.

We are also supporting the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Demining Battalion will be beneficiaries of the European Peace Facility and soon they will receive equipment and vehicles by more than €10 million.

Let me conclude by assuring you that well ahead of the renewal of the United Nations Security [Council] Resolution early November about the mandate of mission Althea, we will undertake all necessary steps in order to enable this EU force to continue being present on the ground, with an executive mandate, to give continuity to the importance of this Operation for a safe and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thank you.

Q&A

Q. On the letter sent by the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, meaning the ‘fast track’ for the accession process. You have said that you maintain principles and priorities – 14 key priorities –, that there will be no progress without implementation of those 14 key priorities. What would be your response in case the situation escalates any further in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Look, rules have to be followed. And the [European] Commission will recommend Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Council of the European Union, which is the body that takes decisions about the candidacy, once the critical reforms will have been implemented. The requirements have to be fulfilled and there are 14 key priorities in which reforms have to be implemented in order to allow the Council to take a decision by unanimity. We continue to ask for these reforms to be implemented as quickly as possible, because only a clear, positive signal that Bosnia and Herzegovina is determined to take forward the reforms needed on its European path, will bring the country to the candidacy, closer to the European Union. I do not want to make a negative forecast; I prefer to work in order to avoid any escalation before trying to answer on what would happen if this happens. I prefer to work on avoiding that from happening.

Q. During today’s visit, will you in any way focus on amendments to the election law? We have heard a lot of discussions in the European Parliament yesterday. Will you be addressing this topic during your meetings today?

Obviously, I am here to visit Operation Althea and I am very, very proud of the performance of the military deployed here, but I also have to talk with the authorities. We have on the table important reforms that have to be implemented and agreed. Because I cannot - and I do not want and I cannot even if I wanted – impose anything. It is up to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and their political representatives to reach the necessary agreements in order for the law to pass through the Parliament. And yes, we have to have a look at the constitutional reform, at the electoral reform and we will have to talk about it. I know that yesterday at the [European] Parliament there was a discussion – a very lively discussion. We need to have lively discussions - honest, frank discussions - in order to get agreements. Because that is what the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina need in order to continue being one country with two entities and three constituent people. This has to be safeguarded, and everybody has to have the opportunity of participating in the political life of this country on an equal basis. That is what we want to contribute to do, but it is not me who is going to dictate the solution. I only can help, support, contribute to the necessary agreement between the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-221700 (As of 8:16)