SARAJEVO, Feb 9 (Hina) - Results of the recent parliamentary and presidential elections in Croatia show that Croatian citizens want to be part of European integration processes, a former High Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina and
currently a representative in the European Parliament, Carlos Westendorp, said in Sarajevo on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters at the end of his two-day official visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Westendorp said the latest developments in Croatia were encouraging although one should not think that the new authority would not face significant difficulties in its efforts to implement further democratic changes. The European Union will provide all-round assistance to Croatian authorities in that process, he added. Westendorp expressed hope that the political changes in Croatia would positively affect the situation among Bosnian Croats, who would now rely more on their cooperation with
SARAJEVO, Feb 9 (Hina) - Results of the recent parliamentary and
presidential elections in Croatia show that Croatian citizens want
to be part of European integration processes, a former High
Representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina and currently a
representative in the European Parliament, Carlos Westendorp, said
in Sarajevo on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters at the end of his two-day official visit to
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Westendorp said the latest developments in
Croatia were encouraging although one should not think that the new
authority would not face significant difficulties in its efforts to
implement further democratic changes.
The European Union will provide all-round assistance to Croatian
authorities in that process, he added.
Westendorp expressed hope that the political changes in Croatia
would positively affect the situation among Bosnian Croats, who
would now rely more on their cooperation with the other two
communities in the country. However, he warned that the joint
bodies of authority in Bosnia-Herzegovina had to function with the
aim of protecting the constitutional rights of Croats, Serbs and
Bosniaks alike.
Commenting on the situation in the country, Westendorp said things
were still moving too slow in the desired direction and more
decisive steps had to be made for the country to draw closer to
European structures, primarily the Council of Europe.
Westendorp said priorities in the coming period included
strengthening the joint bodies of authority, accelerating refugee
return, adopting a permanent electoral law, and conducting
comprehensive economic reforms for which he said it was
inadmissible that they were being delayed.
(hina) rml