Bevanda – Hughes: Support to European Road of BIH

Minister of Justice and Civil Freedoms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Simon Hughes met with Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BIH Vjekoslav Bevanda, and on that occasion he said that BIH, in the face its problems, has a very important role in the region, and expressed his hope that the whole European continent will be the European Union in the future. He said that the Government of the Great Britain is ready to extend a full political support to judicial cooperation, saying that relevant British experts are ready to assist BIH. 

Chairman Bevanda thanked for the support BIH has received thus far from the British Government and the citizens. He informed Minister Hughes of the current political and economic situation, as well as of the stalemates BIH experiences in its road to the European union. He said that BIH has demonstrated its dedication to this aspiration, and that by fulfilling twenty four out of twenty six Road Map requirements, BIH has managed to progress in criteria fulfilment. He underlined that patience and compromise have no alternative, as the ultimate goal is the European Union membership.

Minister Huges said that the advantage of BIH is the variety of its traditions, and that the variety should incite common well-being.

The meeting exchanged views also on justified civil protests, stressing that all people have right to express their opinion all until they do so refraining from violence and in  away as prescribed by law.

Chairman Bevanda also said that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country with the least utilised capacities and that he will continue to call upon the young people to get involved in entrepreneurship activities, taking their effort diligence and commitment to surmount obstacles on their way. He informed Minister Hughes of his participation at the up-coming EBRD High Level Conference in London, adding that in his address at the meeting of Prime Ministers of Western Balkan countries, he will present BIH potentials, in an attempt to spur interest for more sizable and higher quality investments to our state.

Minister Hughes said that BIH has a full support and assistance in capacity development in judiciary in war crimes processing, fight against crime and corruption and promotion of human rights, with special emphasis to minority rights. He added that the Great Britain is a strong friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it will continue support the European road of BIH.

The meeting was attended by Private Secretary of the Misntiry of Justice and Civil Freedoms Chris Beal, Senior Political Advisor for Human Rights Abigail Culank, and Charge d’Affaires in the Great Britain Embassy in BIH Jo Lomas.

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