Members of the European Parliament are dissatisfied over the limited progress on reforms related to EU integration made by Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), a potential candidate for EU membership, the European Parliament said in a media statement on June 17 2010.

The nationalistic and secessionist rhetoric polarising society is detrimental to the country’s bid for EU integration, MEPs said in a resolution, although, despite these failings, they nevertheless backed a proposal to allow BiH citizens visa-free travel to the EU.

Ahead of the October 2010 general elections, MEPs are concerned about the unstable political climate and the lack of will by Bosniac political forces and leaders to achieve a common vision, the statement said.

"The use of inflammatory language and the nationalistic and secessionist rhetoric which undermine relations between the Serb, Muslim and Croat communities and the functioning of the central state must stop," according to the resolution, which was adopted by a show of hands.

The European Parliament called for an agreement to be reached on a "properly functioning" and strengthened central state.

This would improve the country's overall situation and enable it to meet the EU accession criteria, the statement said. BiH is composed of two entities with a great degree of autonomy: the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska (RS). MEPs urge the two entities and all political forces, in particular the RS Government, to respect the Dayton Agreement, and also to treat with due respect the High Representative and all the international staff in the country and to refrain from any personal attacks.

All citizens of the multi-ethnic BiH must enjoy the same rights without any discrimination, the resolution says, referring to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and Article 2 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (respect for democratic principles and human rights).

Co-operation with the ICTY is "satisfactory", say MEPs, who nonetheless ask the BiH authorities to facilitate the arrest of all ICTY indictees and dismantle their support networks.

Visa liberalisation backed

Significant progress has been made in meeting the roadmap criteria for a visa-free regime. MEPs congratulate the BiH authorities for their efforts on this front but ask them to adopt the remaining legislation. The ability to travel within the EU is seen as an important factor in further EU integration as well as inter-ethnic reconciliation, the resolution says.

"The proposal to lift visa requirements for BiH citizens, put forward by the European Commission on May 27, is thus welcomed by MEPs," the statement said. The resolution said that the aim should be to waive visas for Bosnian citizens by the end of 2010, subject to remaining benchmarks being met.

Significant reforms needed

Key political reforms need to be made to meet the standards required for accession, the European Parliament said.

These include a reform of the judicial system - a prerequisite for the EU integration process - and respect for human and minority rights, in particular for gender identity and sexual orientation. Progress also needs to be made in the fight against corruption and in strengthening independent media.

The BiH authorities are also asked to find "fair, comprehensive and durable solutions" for some of the 115 000 internally displaced persons and refugees, and to help them integrate into society.

Apologies from neighbouring countries

MEPs welcomed recent statements by the Croatian president, who apologised for Croatian policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s and paid tribute to victims from each community.

The European Parliament "sees this gesture to be an important step in the promotion of ethnic reconciliation among the Balkan nations, and calls on the other neighbouring countries to follow this example," according to the statement.