Ambassador Moon Delivers Remarks on BiH’s Euro-Atlantic Integration

October 23, 2012

International Burch University
Sarajevo
at 14:30

Introduction

Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be with you at International
Burch University again today.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Dr. Azamat Akbarov, Vice-Rector for International Relations, for inviting me to speak, and for his and the university’s continued efforts to provide English-language opportunities for students in Bosnia and Herzegovina and throughout the region. 

We strongly value our collaboration with IBU and will continue to work together to advance our shared goals in education.

If you read the newspapers or follow the news on television, you have probably already heard me state many times that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future lies as a state fully integrated into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.  In particular, we are talking about NATO and the European Union. We believe that Euro-Atlantic integration is the best way to bring security, stability, and economic growth to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the entire region. 

I would like to take the opportunity today to tell you why membership in these two organizations is important and what it means for you.  Remember that you are tomorrow’s leaders and voters; and at stake is your security and prosperity, and those of your children. 

NATO and BiH

First, let’s look at NATO.

As a NATO member, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be a decision-maker as each member has an equal vote in all deliberations.  NATO functions through the principle of consensus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the same equal vote as any other European country.  Bosnia and Herzegovina will have a direct voice and vote concerning issues that affect its security and that of the region, the whole of Europe and far beyond.

A second benefit is regional cooperation, especially on defense and security issues.  Many of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s closest neighbors are quickly moving toward NATO -- Albania, Croatia, and Slovenia are already members – Macedonia and Montenegro are participants in the Membership Action Plan.  As Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region work toward a common goal of Euro-Atlantic integration, they establish closer links with each other, strengthening their cooperation and bilateral ties.

Additionally, NATO membership provides for continual professional development of the Armed Forces, allowing them to better serve the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  And just as important, experience shows that NATO membership has historically brought increased foreign investment to its newest members.  Why?  Because membership in NATO is possible only with political stability, which in turn attracts increased economic investment.  More foreign investment means more jobs.

EU and BiH

So, why should Bosnia and Herzegovina join the EU?
Bosnia and Herzegovina is historically, economically and geographically a part of Europe.  Not only will there be significant economic, political and social benefits guaranteed as an EU member, but the accession process itself is a driver for reform.

As Bosnia and Herzegovina proceeds down the road to accession you will adopt European standards and norms that could bring better administration and governance to your country – ranging from coordination in the battle against corruption and organized crime to regulations that will promote increased trade as BiH becomes part of the EU’s “common market.”

As an EU member, your country will join one of the largest economic markets in the world providing new opportunities for growth, investment and jobs.

And because of its democratic principles and oversight mechanisms, EU membership will strengthen democratic practices and the rule of law, respect for human rights, and civil society.

Bosnia and Herzegovina will be anchored in a group of nations that has brought peace and stability to millions of people who have experienced the horrors of war, thus strengthening internal security.

In short, NATO and EU membership bring tangible and far-reaching benefits to every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Road Ahead

The road ahead for NATO and EU membership will not be easy or necessarily fast, but Bosnia and Herzegovina has wasted precious time in moving forward.

Bosnian political leaders reached a landmark compromise to resolve the question of defense property, finally opening the door for Bosnia’s participation in NATO’s Membership Action Plan.  Sadly, this political decision is yet to be implemented.  We urge the Bosnian political party leaders to finally reach a conclusion on this and move BiH on a path towards NATO.

The Armed Forces of BiH have already shown their capability to support NATO operations.  One of the strongest examples is the deployment of BiH troops abroad, including as part of international force in Afghanistan.  Recently, the fourth rotation of 45 infantry troops deployed to Afghanistan.  These deployments are a model for what the BiH military could look like in the future – professional, modern, ethnically integrated and focused on contributing to international peace-keeping missions.

Bosnian troops have also served in Iraq and participated in UN peace-keeping missions elsewhere in the world.  With each deployment, they learn new skills and professionally carry out assignments in unfamiliar and dangerous environments.  Bosnia and Herzegovina has clearly demonstrated its capacity to work closely with NATO allies and make important contributions to global security.

On the EU front, progress has been challenging and incomplete.  To give additional momentum to the reform process, the EU in June stepped up its commitment to BiH’s accession through its so-called roadmap. The roadmap – to which all political leaders committed themselves – outlined steps, with specific dates, for political leaders to take to allow BiH to submit a credible application membership by the end of the year.

The EU progress report on Bosnia and Herzegovina, published less than two weeks ago, is sobering.  The report stipulates that while there have been high levels of rhetoric about EU membership the roadmap has been derailed and few concrete actions have been taken toward achieving this goal.

The EU established the resolution of the Sejdic-Finci issue as a requirement for implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).  Sejdic-Finci was named after the 2009 ruling by the European Court on Human Rights which declared against BiH’s constitutional prohibitions on non-constituent peoples, so-called “others,” running for the country’s presidency and positions in the state-level House of Peoples.

Earlier this spring, the major political parties from all three ethnic groups in both entities had appeared close to making a breakthrough on amending the election procedures to bring BiH in compliance with the ECHR decision.  But again, with an agreement in sight, the discussions broke down into arguments over so-called “asymmetrical solutions” for electing presidency members from the entities.

Unfortunately, the first waypoint on the roadmap passed without the parties submitting to Parliament a proposal with broad political support to amend the constitution to address the Sejdic-Finci case.

Support for Membership

I have served as U.S. Ambassador in BiH for two years.  During my tenure, I have had the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people, from politicians to local business owners, from NGO leaders to school teachers, from farmers to university students like you.

Throughout my conversations, I have found that despite some ideological differences, most people share similar goals and dreams for the future of this country.

I have also found through these conversations, that some of the most inspirational, hard-working, and creative people are already implementing positive changes in society.  I truly believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most valuable asset is its people.  There are people already working actively to move Bosnia and Herzegovina forward on the path to European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

This past fiscal year, the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo oversaw over $50 million in assistance programs designed to help BiH move forward.  These funds were awarded with a special emphasis on empowering women and young people.

More than $1.5 million was allocated for housing and the sustainable return of hundreds of displaced persons to their pre-war homes, $1 million dollars for identification and return of the remains of persons missing from the war, almost $5 million dollars for humanitarian demining, and millions more for promoting democracy, human rights, small business development, gender equality, and inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue and reconciliation.

The vast majority of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina support EU membership and many support NATO membership, but simply stating that support is not enough. I call on everyone who wants to see BiH fully integrated into Europe to articulate a vision of progress and work in whatever capacity they can to achieve that vision.  There will be challenges along the way, but I am resolute in my belief that it is an achievable goal.

As Secretary Clinton said during her last visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.S. will continue to strongly support those who are working to address the challenges along the path to NATO and EU membership.  But, she recognized that the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina must come together in a spirit of compromise to accomplish the necessary reforms.  They must lead the way.

But it is incumbent upon the citizens of a democracy to do their part to move their country forward. You also have the power to insist that your political leadership promote good policies.

I challenge you to demand government action that strengthens democracy and democratic institutions, combats corruption, promotes the rule of law, protects human rights, and that improves economic conditions.  These are areas that will help this country move forward and attain the stability and prosperity that membership in the EU and NATO will mean.

The hard work must be done by the political leadership, hand in hand with the citizens of this country, but the U.S. and others in the international community are here to assist you.

Our vision for Bosnia and Herzegovina is one shared by the vast majority of citizens: that of a stable democracy, with respect for the rule of law and human rights, and committed to a prosperous economy that is moving forward with its neighbors on the Euro-Atlantic path.  The U.S. fully supports this aspiration and will work with you to achieve these goals.

Thank you. I welcome any question or comment you may have.