Leaders of the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed after 15 years that the Western Balkans has an EU perspective, but progress itself depends on politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the whole region, the European Parliament member (MEP) Tanja Fajon said for N1.

“It is not true that Bosnia could be the last country to join the European Union, something new may emerge”, said Fajon, adding that she attended the recent EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia and that she was not a pessimist.

In her opinion, the European Commission's Questionnaire, which Bosnia recently answered, is a positive step ahead and she remains an optimist.

Fajon emphasized the importance of domestic politicians putting efforts and working in the interest of the country.

“Bosnian politicians obviously don't try hard enough. I have an impression they work for their own interests and not for interests of the country. That progress should be better,” said Fajon.

According to her, a few years have been lost due to a crisis and now the time has come for the EU to get
stronger. “Reforms are important,” she added.

As for possible pressure that the EU may exert on Bosnian leaders, the MEP noted that any solution should be the result of an agreement. She pointed out the Election Law as an important matter to Bosnian citizens.

“We hope for the changes they expect,” she said.

Commenting the recently held rally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sarajevo, the MEP said the stance on Erdogan was well known.

“Turkey is a very important partner to the EU, it is important to have dialogue and try to create normal relations. Erdogan and his regime is something we are very concerned about. We are concerned about the lack of the rule of law, rights of minorities. The process of Turkey getting closer to the EU is frozen,” she said, adding that the rally in Sarajevo sent a very “important message.”