It is with great pleasure that I welcome the first ladies of global diplomacy to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thank you for visiting our country, thank you for the support that the European Union and the United States of America alike have provided in the processes of internal and external integration of our country.

Your today's visit is a clear and powerful confirmation of a deep commitment of the United States of America and the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as of the fact that our country remains in the focus of our attention.

The United States of America and the European Union states invested enourmous effort and resources in order to restore and maintain peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They invested immense energy, time, funds, and, above all, their politicians, diplomats, soldiers risked and lost their lives together with us in the mission of peace in BiH and the region. On behalf of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina I am thanking them for that sincerely. We will do best we can together to preserve this investment, protect it and ensure her long-term success.

Your joint visit is the best confirmation of shared goals, vision and policy of the United States of America and the European Union respectively in relation to BiH and the region.

Such vision has been confirmed at the meeting that we have just held. We will continue with our joint efforts in building a multiethnic, stable, prosperous, democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina that will join the European Union and NATO Alliance shortly.

The two ladies pointed out that BiH was selected intentionaly as the first destination of this regional tour. The reason for this was that they wanted to signal such vision.

It was pointed out that the Euro-Atlantic path of our country was a realistic guarantor of continuous peace, stability and achievement of economic development of both our country and the whole region.

The current deadlock in reform processes must be removed. Both the U.S.A. and the EU will certainly help in doing this, but the work needs to be done by the local leaders. They will do it once they overcome narrow interests, once they step out of outdated and wasted political and nationalistic patterns, and show more willingness to focus on the future and achieve necessary compromises. We must finally turn and dedicate ourselves to building a joint future in this country. The responsibility for this lies on us ourselves, the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in our own hands. However, a continued engagement, support and assistance provided by the United States of America and the European Union are of key importance for further progress.

It was further pointed out, concerning the rhetoric questioning the souvereignity and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, that mentions possible divisions of the country and similar issues, that such rhetoric leads us backwards, that it is retrograde, and that the European Union and the United States of America alike will support a single Bosnia and Herzegovina only.

I drew attention to the fact that, having in mind all that was said here, a transition from the so-called Dayton to the Brussels phase must be carried out carefully. The Dayton Agreement has not been completed fully and we need further strong presence of the United States of America, that provided their crucial assistance in reaching both peace and the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The mandates and authorities of the High Representative, EUFOR and NATO should not be re-located prematurely and unadvisedly. It will only be possible to do this after BiH crosses the Rubicon, i.e. when the process of Euro-Atlantic integration reaches an irreversible point.

Concerning the fulfillment of the conditions for joining and adoption of the first national plan within the first Membership Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the State Secretary Clinton asked us to, pursuant to the decision of the Constitutional Court, allocate the 63 locations urgently, and promised that she would personally try to ensure, at the next that NATO Ministerial Summit that will be held in Brussels in December, for Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive a green light for MAP.

Thank you.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton :

Thank you President Izetbegovic for the warm welcome. It is wonderful to be in Sarajevo again. I was here two years ago, and at that time, I expressed the commitment of the United States of America to a stable, prosperous, democratic, and multiethnic Bosnia-Herzegovina. We remain deeply committed to that goal, and I am pleased to be here with the High Representative Catherine Ashton, because it is important that we convey a united message to the people of this country.

The United States shares with the European Union a vision of a peaceful, stable, prosperous Bosnia-Herzegovina that is fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic institutions. We believe that joining the European Union and NATO offers this country, especially the young people of this country, the best path to lasting stability and prosperity. We have no doubt that Bosnia-Herzegovina belongs in Europe. And we also believe strongly that the young people, some of whom I was privileged to meet with two years ago, deserve that kind of future.

Now since my visit in 2010, there has been some progress toward these goals. Last month’s local elections showed the strength of the people’s commitment to their own future. Free and fair elections, including voting rights for internally displaced people and returnees, are a key element of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future as a member of the EU and of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance.

We are here today to urge that all of the leaders of this country find common ground and act in the interests of the people. Obstacles that the country faced when I was last here still remain. Key reforms have not yet been made. Party differences stand in the way of shared progress. Now, as I know very well, coming from a political background in the United States, political compromise is rarely easy, but it is absolutely necessary. And so we hope that that compromise, which demonstrates brave and courageous leadership, can be made in order to move the country forward.

In addition, it is totally unacceptable that, 17 years after the war ended, some still question Bosnia-Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Such talk is a distraction from the problems facing the country and serves only to undermine the goal of European integration. The Dayton Accords must be respected and preserved, period.

The choice to make the necessary reforms and move beyond narrow political interests does not, however, belong to either the United States or the European Union. It belongs to you, the people and leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina. And as I conveyed in our meetings today, that future must be shaped by you, but the United States stands with the people in urging that the leaders do the business of the people and move forward.

The United States is very proud of our relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina. We were your partner through the Dayton process, we worked together to repair infrastructure destroyed by war, to bring to justice those who committed war crimes, to honor the victims, including those who died in the genocide at Srebrenica so they will never be forgotten and the lessons can be learned that this will never, ever happen again. We are invested in your future success.

So we are here today to urge leaders to put aside their political differences, put aside the rhetoric of dissolution, secession, denial of what tragically happened in the war, for the sake of the future of the young people of this country. That is the solemn obligation of any leader in the world today. And we call on all, particularly the people, to demonstrate your commitment to tolerance, diversity, and inclusiveness. That is the path to a multiethnic, democratic Bosnia-Herzegovina that is a member of the European Union, a member of NATO, a part of Europe that is whole, democratic, and free. That is the future that we know the people of this country want, and the United States will continue to work with you to achieve it.

Thank you.

EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton:

President Izetbegović,

Secretary Clinton,

It is great honour to be in this fabulous city of Sarajevo. I am here today to underline our strong joint commitment for the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We want to see a united, stable, prosperous, multi-ethnic country taking its rightful place in European and Transatlantic structures.

I want to be clear that there is no doubt among the 27 Member States of the European Union that

your future is in the European Union. Today, I want to underline that the EU perspective is real and has our unanimous support. 

I am also here to say that action is required from the country's political leaders. To make its EU future real, to achieve what the overwhelming majority of citizens here want, it is important to look beyond domestic divisions, political rivalries and vested interests. Otherwise, this country, risks being left behind by other countries in the region, who are making progress towards the EU. 

I believe people here want the real, pressing challenges – such as the economy, jobs, the rule of law – to be addressed. There is no time to waste on unproductive debates, such as those which question the statehood of this country.

Today, I've encouraged the Presidency to work together with all political forces to achieve quick and concrete progress on the EU agenda.

I believe the first priority is to put into effect the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the

Sejdic – Finci case. That will allow the EU to put into force our Stabilisation and Association Agreement and BiH to take further steps in EU integration, including a credible membership application.

In June 2012, political leaders agreed a Road Map to implement the key requirements and move this country towards Europe. This Road Map remains key to show commitment to EU integration, and we want to see effective and determined action from the authorities.

The European Union is ready to provide the necessary help. You will have our continued support and advice to help your country in its European Union aspirations.

We want to see Bosnia and Herzegovina to succeed. We know it can. 

Thank you.

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