Bosnia elections further step away from the past - Andrews
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr David Andrews TD, today expressed the hope that the series of elections taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be availed of by the electorate there to build a modern, democratic country.
"These elections at the national, entity and regional levels provide a unique opportunity to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to build a prosperous future and to choose responsible, forward-looking leaders," the Minister said.
Noting that last June the EU had set out its expectations for the closer integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into Europe on the basis of true democracy, the Minister hoped that the voters would bear this in mind as they approach the polls.
"This second series of elections provide the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a further opportunity to build up the Dayton structures which were set in place through the elections of 1996," the Minister added . "They should be a further step in a move away from the past, and forward along the road towards normalisation and the creation of a multi ethnic society".
"Ireland is pleased to have contributed 77 short-term supervisors to assist the OSCE in its task of overseeing the elections" the Minster noted "and in this regard I should like to thank APSO for the excellent cooperation which they have provided in helping to recruit and prepare the Irish volunteers undertaking this work".
"I wish all these volunteers as well as the Irish members of SFOR and IPTF, who will also be involved in assisting this most important electoral process, every success in their tasks," the Minister concluded. Top
