GARIWO

On Wednesday 10.02.2010 a session of Meeting of students with Ambassador of Kingdom of Spain H.E. Alejandro Enrique Alvargonzalez San Martin was held in offices of NGO Gariwo and Foundation Imam petlju on the topic "Bosnia and Herzegovina in EU - a near future?".

Ambassador spoke about the conditions and obstacles of Bosnia and Herzegovina in process of EU accession and compared that process with that of Spain in the 80s and offered a few recommendations in discussion with students.

When it comes to the process of EU accession for B&H, according to H.E., B&H is in a favorable position because, unlike other countries in the region, it has been invited to start the process of stabilization and EU accession. However, it cannot deliver all the demands due to its internal problems in the last 15 years. B&H has the capacity and the opportunity to successfully and in accordance with set deadlines join EU, but what Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks is one voice which would represent the country's interests in EU and which would be directed at a stable and prosperous society.

He emphasized that the reconciliation problem presents the first level of problems in B&H and that Embassy of Kingdom of Spain is dedicated to reconciliation in B&H as a goal. The general apathy of society and the dependence on international community also presents obstacles that must be removed. Uniting and strengthening civil society in B&H must be done so that it can exert pressure on authorities and thereby make them accountable for their work. The constitution of B&H, as well as the segregated educational system, is against the human rights principles. Until serious reforms in these segments are implemented, entrance into EU will not be possible.

The message that arose in the course of the discussion is that B&H society must develop consciousness that problems, and thereby the future of life in B&H, is in the hands of the very citizens of the country, especially the youth.