UNSA Open Lecture on the Occasion of the BH National Day

Open Lecture Bosnia and Herzegovina Today and Tomorrow by Mr. Valentin Inzko 

Mr. Valentin Inzko, Higher Representative for BiH delivered a lecture on the topic Bosnia and Herzegovina Today and Tomorrow at the event organized by the University of Sarajevo to mark one of the most significant dates in the BH history - 25 November, the National Day on Thursday, 23 November 2017.

The event was opened by UNSA Rector – Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj’s welcome speech stressing that on 25 November 1943, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the will of its people, reaffirmed its statehood at the first of the ZAVNOBiH (TN: The State Anti-fascist Council for the National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) in its medieval borders, which are among the oldest in Europe.
“These historical facts speaking about the basic and most important form of political organization in the BH territory are unquestionable and had a huge significance when gaining independence in 1992. One of the biggest ZAVNOBiH’s achievements is that Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a state of Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats and other citizens living there, has continued its centenary tradition of coexistence of multiethnic, multireligiousnes and multiculturalism” said Rector Škrijelj.
 
At the beginning of his lecture, Mr. Inzko thanked Rector Škrijelj for organizing a meeting marking such an important day as the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and expressed his satisfaction at the opportunity to talk with representatives of the academic community, especially with students.

Mr. Inzko’s presentation started with an overview of the Dayton Agreement to date, stressing that the Dayton Peace Agreement ended the three-year-old war 22 years ago. “Peace should not be taken for granted, and it is the foundation for building the country. Although peace is of the utmost importance, it alone is not sufficient to make progress. This requires at least a double will: the political will and the will to reach a compromise” said Mr. Inzko.
Referring to the progress made in peace building and the country's reintegration since 1997, Mr. Inzko emphasized that freedom of movement was restored, millions of refugees returned to their homes, state institutions were strengthened, the economy stabilized, and the state judiciary was established to the rule of law has improved.
“The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the European Union," emphasized Mr. Inzko, and reminded that the process of Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession to the European Union began in 2003, when the European Council in Thessaloniki reached a decision and recognized BiH as a "potential candidate country.” 

When speaking about EU benefits after Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region join, Mr. Inzko said that the most significant impact of the perspective of membership in the European Union so far was its role as a reform processes foothold. He also stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina is striving to activate NATO membership, and stressed that joining NATO encourages leaders and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to make the country more democratic, with a strong institutional structure, and to launch reforms in the security and defense sectors.
Mr. Inzko ended lecture by congratulating the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the following words “The process of Euro-Atlantic integration will be in favor of a better tomorrow in BiH, further strengthen stability, economy and the rule of law - are crucial for a better and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina.”