European Forum

New PM to lead BiH towards the EU

On 12 January the parliament of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) appointed Vjekoslav Bevanda, from the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and former finance minister of the Federation, as the country’s new Prime Minister, ending a 15-month government formation after the parliamentary elections of October 2010. Bevanda was supported in the State Parliament by 31 votes; two MPs voted against him and three abstained. The new PM has until the end of January to appoint a Cabinet according to December’s deal.

Parliamentary speech
In the parliamentary speech that Bevanda held after his appointment, the new Prime Minister said his priorities will include strengthening the economic situation, improving living standards and better security and safety for the citizens of BiH. Also Bevanda said that state agencies have to focus on implementing the aquis communautaire, the legislation and legal acts which make up the body of EU law, and the economic reforms to assure the country’s compatibility with the rest of Europe. “The priority will be the fight against corruption, which is the main obstacle blocking efficient politics and legislative implementation,” Bevanda told lawmakers, while also stressing the necessity to continue the fight against terrorism and crime.

EU integration process
As a consequence of the political deadlock and the lack of strength and legitimacy of the state level government BiH fell even further behind in the EU integration process. On 16 June 2008 the European Union and BiH signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) after the country was recognized as a potential candidate country for EU accession in 2003. However, the country has to reform on various fronts to accomplish EU accession requirements. After the announcement on 28 December that a central government was formed, the European Commission welcomed the formation and encouraged the government to take further steps to ensure the country get its bid to the EU back on track. According to Bevanda in the end the strategic goal is to move the country closer to the European Union.

Sources: EUobserver, BalkanInsight, European Commission, Washington Post
Image: Leo the Lop