Saša Magazinović signed “Support for the European perspective of Western Balkans”
Member of the Executive Board of the Regional Academy for Democratic Development (ADD) and Member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sasa Magazinovic was invited to be one of the signatories of the motion for resolution “Support to the European Perspective of the Western Balkans”.
The document, signed by Magazinovic, states that 26 years since the Dayton Agreement and 18 years since the Thessaloniki Summit is too long a period of frustration and disappointment in the region, fueling nationalism while tarnishing the European Union’s credibility, paving the way for other geopolitical influences and actors. The resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will demand that the EU speeds up the process of integration of the Western Balkans by continuing negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro, initiating negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina and visa liberalization for Kosovo.
Supporting democratic reforms, reconciliation and good neighborly relations in the Western Balkans is of the utmost importance for peace, security and democratic stability throughout Europe. Greater support should be given to ongoing efforts to consolidate democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law, fight corruption, develop a stronger and more inclusive democratic culture and public administration in line with European standards, promote women’s active participation in political life and decision-making, protect national minorities and prevent radicalization and violent extremism. The Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly, as well as the Venice Commission, can offer a valuable contribution to accompany this reform process, the document says.
On the occasion of signing the motion for a resolution “Support to the European Perspective of the Western Balkans”, Magazinovic stated that he believes that signing this document does a good thing for all Western Balkan countries, but also for the EU, which must understand that the key to stability, peace and prosperity of the Western Balkans is in their hands. Magazinovic expressed his belief that the current destabilization of the region can be overcome only by accelerating the European path, but not at the technical level at which the process has been conducted in the last period, but by serious political engagement and the presence of highest European officials. Everything else is a waste of time with an uncertain outcome, concluded Magazinović.
Sarajevo, September 15, 2021
