OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Dačić completes two-day visit to OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, supports the country’s commitments to positive reform-oriented agenda

SARAJEVO, 30 April 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić completed on Wednesday a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). During his visit, Dačić met BiH Presidency members Mladen Ivanić, Bakir Izetbegović and Dragan Čović, Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Crnadak, Chairperson of BiH Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdić, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Federation of BiH President Marinko Čavara. During his meetings with senior state officials in Sarajevo, he highlighted the important role that Bosnia and Herzegovina plays in promoting regional co-operation and commended the government for its commitment to undertaking the necessary socio-economic reforms.

Dačić said the countries of the region have much to gain by working together towards a common future, by reforming their societies and countering contemporary threats such as radicalization. Offering his condolences to the victims of Monday’s terrorist attack at the Zvornik police station, Dačić said reforms help increase tolerance in society.

The fight against radicalization will constitute a priority for co-operation between Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship and the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which Bosnia and Herzegovina will assume next month, noted Dačić. He stressed this co-operation will provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate the progress the Western Balkans has made in building a better future by overcoming challenges of the past.

“Rebuilding trust and confidence in the region is the guiding principle of Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship,” he said. He highlighted the importance of processing war crimes as essential to fostering inter-ethic dialogue and reconciliation. “All perpetrators must be brought to justice,” said Dačić, and commended the co-operation of war crimes prosecutors in the region.

During the visit to Drvar and opening of the OSCE field office, Dačić praised the work of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and highlighted its valuable support to the host country in furthering democratic reforms. He conveyed his full support to the Mission’s efforts to promoting the rule of law, the respect for human rights and a sustainable return process. “The sustainability of returns can only be guaranteed by ensuring fair and equal access to vital services and employment. Prosperity can only be achieved through economic freedom, social justice and respect of fundamental freedoms – and those principles must guide us.”

Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Jonathan Moore, said: "The opening of the field office in Drvar is an important milestone for the OSCE and an excellent basis for our work in Canton 1 and Canton 10. Through its extensive network of field offices, the OSCE Mission reaches out to every community in BiH as a partner for progress. We thank the citizens of Drvar for their warm hospitality and are deeply grateful for the attendance of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and many senior officials at today's event."

During the visit to the Banja Luka field office, Dačić encouraged the country to continue to work closely and collaboratively with the OSCE Mission to BiH, using its presence as a valuable resource. “The catastrophic floods we witnessed in 2014 can only be fought with joint efforts and our intention is to help mitigate the impact of future natural disasters.” Dačić also commended the country for adopting strong legislation in combating terrorism and the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, and pledged the OSCE’s support in this sphere.

Officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed their full support for the Chairmanship’s priorities, particularly in strengthening socio-economic co-operation.