BiH parties agree to constitutional reforms

19/03/2006

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- The country's main political parties agreed on constitutional reforms Saturday (18 March) that would improve the efficiency of central institutions. Such reforms are a requirement for closer ties with the EU. The leaders of the seven main ruling and opposition parties agreed to strengthen the nine-member central government by adding two new portfolios and by empowering the prime minister to hire and fire cabinet members. They also agreed to create a streamlined parliament. The three-member presidency would be replaced by a single president and two deputies, all of whom would be elected by parliament.

High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling described the agreement as the first substantial step on the long road toward efficient and functioning state institutions. The United States played a key role during the negotiations. (Nezavisne novine, Dnevni avaz - 19/03/06; AFP, PBS BiH, RTRS, NTV Hayat - 18/03/06)