Speaking at the summit of European People’s Party (EPP) via video-link, the Chairman of Bosnia’s Presidency said on Wednesday that the pandemic has revealed how connected people, nations and states really are and how much they depend on each other.
The Bosniak member of the country’s tripartite presidency, Sefik Dzaferovic, said that when the corona crisis is over, it should be remembered by the cooperation and the solidarity it produced.
“The coronavirus pandemic has shown how destructive of a force it is not only on people’s health but on the entire economic, institutional and social system,” Dzaferovic said.
“But, the result of the crisis situation, in the end, depends on how we approach it. Solidarity and togetherness should be the key things by which we will remember this crisis by one day when it's over,” he said.
Among others, the summit held on Wednesday ahead of another one that will bring together the European Union and the Western Balkans was attended by President Donald Tusk, head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who hosted the event, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Dzaferovic said that his country has so far successfully handled the health aspect of the pandemic but that it now faces serious economic problems.
“I want to thank the European Union for providing important assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina to cope with both the health and economic crises,” he said.
Like every other crisis, this one too will be a chance to strengthen European unity, he said.
“This time again it was proven that we can only through joint action respond to the challenges we are facing,” Dzaferovic said.
“I believe that all of us who advocate a united Europe, a strong European Union and the continuation of European and Euro-Atlantic integration would look at the situation caused by the pandemic this way,” he said.
Bosnia and Herzegovina also wants to be part of the European Union and its institutions, he said, adding that this is the country’s main priority and strategic goal.
That is why it is of utmost importance that the entire Western Balkans gets clear messages about prospects of full membership, he added.
“Of course, it is up to us to take concrete steps to speed up the reforms and fulfil the required conditions,” Dzaferovic argued, noting that it would be important for Bosnia to obtain candidate status this year and open membership negotiations.
“After a political and now pandemic crisis, I believe we are ripe to devote ourselves to a speedy implementation of the suggestions made in the European Commission Opinion,” he said.
A credible European perspective is the most powerful mechanism for advancing human rights, the rule of law and establishing internal political cohesion in BiH, and one of the most significant factors in socio-economic progress, he said.
“That is why I reiterate that the European path remains our lasting and strategic commitment, for the benefit of our citizens, in accordance with the mutual interests of the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.
Dzaferovic added that his Party for Democratic Action, as a member of the European People's Party, has cultivated a commitment to European integration, “and there are no dilemmas for us in this regard.”
