Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands have inseparable relations, in which the dark part related to the genocide committed in Srebrenica is woven.

“I spoke with the Dutch troops, I heard first-hand information about their important work and engagement. Also, the Netherlands is a member of the Peace Implementation Council and we also finance activities to strengthen democracy and the rule of law through our activities. We support Bosnia’s European ambitions because ultimately our common interest is for BiH to take its place at the table of the European family as a united and sovereign state. This, I say, is in the interest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but equally in the interest of the European Union as a whole.” he said.

The Prime Minister said that there is still a lot of work left for BiH.

“The accession process was and will remain a process that is evaluated on the basis of results and based on concrete results with long-term effects and improvements in various areas, including the rule of law. Reforms are an inseparable part of this process. If we look at the current situation, I think we have to be honest and say that there is still a lot of work left for Bosnia before it achieves the necessary degree of fulfilment of the conditions for further steps. Therefore, we need substantial progress according to the now-known list of 14 key priorities before we reach the next phase, that is, the phase of opening of negotiations. I assure you that BiH is not alone in these efforts. We, the Netherlands, and other member states, together with the European Commission, are available to support you and our presence today is a confirmation of that.” he said.

According to him, the Netherlands will stand by its firm positions.

“As far as the Netherlands is concerned, there are no shortcuts, reforms must be made. It's a lot of work over the next six weeks. I am not ready to vote at this moment, but they [BiH officials] assured me that they are working on it. These are big tasks. I understand that this country is complexly organized, but today we heard that many [EU officials] are available. Time is running out, by the end of March this opportunity will be extinguished.” Rutte said.