Declaration on BiH's path towards EU membership signed at EPP conference in Sarajevo

The first day of the "EPP EU-Enlargement Study Visit & Conference: EPP Family in the Western Balkan Region" conference was held in Sarajevo today, at which parties belonging to the European People's Party (EPP) signed a joint declaration on Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) path towards membership in the European Union (EU).

The declaration was signed by EPP President Manfred Veber, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Office in BiH Štefan Rabe, Presidents of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Bakir Izetbegović, Croatian Democratic Union of BiH (HDZ BiH) Dragan Čović, Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) Branko Blanuša, Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) Draško Stanivuković and President of HDZ 1990 Ilija Cvitanović.

After signing the declaration, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović emphasized that the SDA relies on Bosniak tradition and culture, and that Bosniaks, along with other Muslim peoples of Europe, are considered an integral part of European identity, Sarajevo media reported.

Speaking about European values, he assessed that European culture is not built exclusively on the Judeo-Christian heritage, but also on, as he stated, broader Abrahamic values ​​and traditions.

"The signed declaration, among other things, emphasizes common concern over the constant attacks on the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Peace Agreement," said Izetbegović.

According to him, the document confirms support for peace, stability, territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH, as well as the need to implement the judgments of the Constitutional Court of BiH and the European Court of Human Rights.

During his address, he also emphasized the importance of cooperation between parties from BiH that belong to the EPP, adding that the fastest and most successful post-Dayton mandate was achieved in the period from 2015 to 2019, when these parties operated in a coalition at the state level.

HDZ BiH President Dragan Čović assessed that it is important to send affirmative messages and build the belief that the European path has no alternative.

"Bosnia and Herzegovina has its own European future and we need to seize it together with you," he said, adding that political differences and conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and not left to future generations.

SDS President Branko Blanuša expressed hope that his party, which currently has observer status, will become a full member of the EPP in the future.

He pointed out that BiH has no alternative to European integration, and that, in addition to membership itself, it is especially important to accept European values.

"I really want this not to remain just paper, but for all of us in BiH to work dedicatedly on implementing what is contained in this document," said Blanuša.

PDP MP in the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliament, Branislav Borenović, said that the signing of the declaration comes at a challenging political moment, but that it clearly confirms the commitment of all signatories to BiH's membership in the European Union.

"It is important to find a compromise between the EU's security interests and the interests of our citizens to be closer to the EU," said Borenović.

HDZ 1990 President Ilija Cvitanović stated that the declaration represents a serious political document that requires responsibility from all signatories, stating that the document addresses issues of the rule of law, fair elections, the social status of citizens, the fight against clientelism, and the political organization of the country.