Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit - BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Jules Maaten visits Sarajevo [printable version]
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Jules Maaten visits Sarajevo
Mr. Jules MAATEN, ALDE spokesman for the dossier on SAA negotiations between EU and BiH visited Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-6 February 2008.Purpose of the visit of Mr. Maaten was to get acquainted with overall political and security situation in the country.
Mr. Jules MAATEN, ALDE spokesman for the dossier on SAA negotiations between EU and BiH visited Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-6 February 2008. Purpose of the visit of Mr. Maaten was to get acquainted with overall political and security situation in the country.
The visit began with a briefing from Friedrich Naumann Foundation which introduced Mr. Maaten to some very detailed information concerning the historical background and post-conflict developments in the country. The problems associated with simultaneous employment of post-conflict stabilization process and democratic consolidation, put against the backdrop of severe and profound ethnic division, was identified as key reason for fallacies of process and sluggish progress towards fulfillment of requests for signing of SAA.
From left to right: Jelko Kacin, Edin Colic, Adnan Huskic, Lamija Tanovic. Jules Maaten
Series of meetings began with discussion with liberals from the country, represented by Liberal Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its President Dr. Lamija Tanovic, Party Vice-President Edin Colic on one and Mr. Maaten and his colleague from European Parliament and ALDE Group, Mr. Jelko Kacin on the other side. The exchange of views showed some differing views as to the role of European Union in the process and question of ownership over the process.
Meeting with office of EUSR was first on the list. Mr. Drino Galicic, legal advisor to HR /EUSR Miroslav Lajcak offered an insight into current standstill of the police reform process and future steps towards more active EU involvement and diminishing role of “OHR” component. Influence of global politics and Russia could not be avoided which subsequently led to a discussion over energy policy of EU in Western Balkans.
The meeting with NDI took place before lunch and mainly focused on the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lack of initiative from the side of US based organizations is directly linked to shifting priorities in foreign policy strategy of US State Dept. Focus of their work remain social-democratic parties in both entities.
Mr. Maaten met with a local NGO Foreign Policy Initiative. The meeting revolved around the topics of SAA process, Police reform and European values in general.
Meeting with EC Ambassador took place in EU Mission in BiH which still remains the largest mission of EU outside Brussels. Ambassador spoke also about political crisis and progress towards SAA and EU in general. Capacity building of the institutions proved a priority of EC while merger of offices of EC and EUSR is planned as soon as OHR component phases out.
Last meeting took place in EUFOR base in Butmir where Mr. Maaten met with Regional Political Advisor in EUFOR, Mr. Fabienne Limonier. During meeting Mr. Limonier explained to Mr. Maaten the structure of the EUFOR presences in BiH, relations to Kosovo in terms of stability, role of LOT Houses and decreasing military presence as a result of satisfactory political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The issue of coherence in approach of Brussels based institutions present in BiH which now function in coordinated but not integrated way kept resurfacing throughout the meetings.
After debriefing in Hotel UNICA, Mr. Maaten left Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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