Ambassador Raff Bukun-Olu Onemola
Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations
New York, NY
11th November, 2010
As Delivered
I, too, would like to welcome His Excellency Mr. Nebojša Radmanović, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the Council and to thank him for his statement. I also thank the High Representative, Mr. Valentin Inzko, for his views on the developments in Bosnia and
Herzegovina since his last report (see S/2010/235, annex).
We are pleased with the positive developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina since the Council’s last meeting on this item (see S/PV.6319). In particular, we note the successful conclusion of the sixth national election last month. We congratulate the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina on their commitment to democracy, as demonstrated by their participation in the elections. We welcome the decision to allow visa free travel to all Bosnians. Equally, we welcome the European Union’s improved relations with the country’s neighbors.
We recall with nostalgia the high hopes that attended the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement
15 years ago. As we welcome the achievements of the past 11 years, we also share the Secretary-General’s concern over the limited progress made in implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement and in meeting the outstanding requirements set by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council for the transition from the Office of the High Representative to a European Union presence.
In the same vein, we observe that the reported increase in provocative and nationalistic rhetoric further undermines efforts towards achieving a stable and peaceful country, fully integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures. We encourage political leaders to commit to the necessary reforms and to ensure the completion of the five objectives and two conditions for the closure of the Office of the High Representative. They should also refrain from nationalistic and anti-Dayton rhetoric, surmount their differences and commit to dialogue.
We welcome the contributions of the regional and international partners in support of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration. We encourage it not to relent in its efforts to ensure that all outstanding issues pertaining to the country’s integration into the European Union are resolved speedily. We appreciate the role of the European Union’s peacekeeping, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to ensure a safe and secure environment in the country.
We commend the High Representative for his tireless efforts to promote the entry of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Union and to facilitate the implementation of the Dayton Agreement. We look forward to a more collaborative effort between the Office of the High Representative, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Government in ensuring the full implementation of annex 7 of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to close the chapter of displacement in Bosnia and Herzegovina by 2014.
It is a positive development that the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina is showing signs of improvement. Economic growth in the country is essential to supporting efforts to sustain peace and stability. The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to continue the necessary reforms and to work assiduously with its international partners to improve the economy. We call on the international community to continue to support the Government in its efforts to foster economic progress, thereby improving the lives of the average Bosnian.
Let me conclude by stating that Nigeria, along with Council members, will remain focused in efforts to support the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve a prosperous and democratic country. We urge all concerned to display more maturity, as we believe that the Bosnian people can confront the current challenges with the necessary political will.