High rep expects 2012 to be better for Bosnia

High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina Valentin Inzko expects 2012 to be better for Bosnia-Herzegovina after a deal on the Council of Ministers was reached. “Political leaders’ agreement on measures to solve concrete issues regarding the EU gives hope that 2012 will be better for the country, even though 2011 has been lost,” he said in a New Year’s message. High rep expects 2012 to be better for Bosnia “Bosnia-Herzegovina’s progress in 2011 did not meet the citizens’ expectations. While its neighbors were making progress in the Euro-Atlantic integrations, long-term problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina were not solved,” Inzko stressed. He pointed out that the world was fighting “a terrible financial crisis” and that the governments were using all resources at their disposal in order to survive economically. “That means focusing and coordinating initiatives to start investments and open new jobs, protect workers, pensioners and families, maintain social services and social protection system,” the high representative stressed. He criticized Bosnian politicians for focusing on wrong priorities. “Instead of solving real challenges the country is facing, they wasted much needed energy on political conflicts. 2012 can and has to be better and it will be if political representatives work on results of their agreement, if they realize the urgency of the situation and if they truly start to cooperate,” Inzko stated. He noted that the new leadership would need to as soon as possible adopt the fiscal framework and state budget for 2012 that would ensure functioning of the state institutions and allow Bosnia-Herzegovina to fulfill its international obligations. According to Inzko, the new government will also have to take emergency measures to boost economic growth and stimulate employment, but also to meet conditions that will allow the country to make progress in the EU integration and ensure implementation of the Action Plan for NATO membership. Valentin Inzko Tanjug

High rep expects 2012 to be better for Bosnia

“Bosnia-Herzegovina’s progress in 2011 did not meet the citizens’ expectations. While its neighbors were making progress in the Euro-Atlantic integrations, long-term problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina were not solved,” Inzko stressed.

He pointed out that the world was fighting “a terrible financial crisis” and that the governments were using all resources at their disposal in order to survive economically.

“That means focusing and coordinating initiatives to start investments and open new jobs, protect workers, pensioners and families, maintain social services and social protection system,” the high representative stressed.

He criticized Bosnian politicians for focusing on wrong priorities.

“Instead of solving real challenges the country is facing, they wasted much needed energy on political conflicts. 2012 can and has to be better and it will be if political representatives work on results of their agreement, if they realize the urgency of the situation and if they truly start to cooperate,” Inzko stated.

He noted that the new leadership would need to as soon as possible adopt the fiscal framework and state budget for 2012 that would ensure functioning of the state institutions and allow Bosnia-Herzegovina to fulfill its international obligations.

According to Inzko, the new government will also have to take emergency measures to boost economic growth and stimulate employment, but also to meet conditions that will allow the country to make progress in the EU integration and ensure implementation of the Action Plan for NATO membership.