The TV show that was realised on Radio-Television Mostar about constitutional changes was some kind of introduction and creation of the atmosphere for holding of the round table “The Upgrade of the Bosnian Constitution Would Enable Faster European Integration” since this TV station covers the territory of Canton 10, whose centre is Livno.
Besides the opinions of the experts in the constitutional law, our aim was that to hear the opinion of the citizens, representatives of different levels of the authorities from this canton, and members of Parliament from this canton about the purpose, possibilities and need of the implementation of the constitutional changes in BiH.
The round table was held in the “Forum” centre in Livno, on September 5, 2009 at 11.00 a.m.
The round table was realised with the assistance of the partner organisation Centre for Civic Co-operation Livno, which is the organisation with whom FTC co-operates for many years already.
The total of 33 participants took part in the round table, mostly representatives of the Assembly of canton, members of the Municipal Council Livno, as well as the representatives of other political parties from the territory of this canton.
The speakers at the round table were Prof. Slavo Kukic from Posusje (member of the expert group and professor of sociology at the University of (Western) Mostar) and Mr Vehid Sehic, a lawyer and the president of FTC.

In their introductory speeches, the speakers emphasised that the basic reason for constitutional changes in BiH is harmonisation of the constitutional articles with ratified Protocol 12 on prohibition of any kind of discrimination of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, harmonisation of the Constitution with de facto situation in the country (changes related to the Armed Forces of BiH, establishment of the Court of BiH, Prosecution Office of BiH, etc.); constitutional definition of the local self-government and local community which is not constitutional category at all (which is related to the ratifies Charter on Local Self-government), in order for BiH to continue its process of accession to the EU.
In addition, Prof. Kukic emphasised in his introductory speech that constitutional changes have to enable three basic principles: 1. basic human and citizens’ rights and freedoms; 2. collective rights and freedoms; 3. creation of more efficient and cheaper state in order to change the situation in BiH and make a step forward.
Almost all participants of the round table took part in the discussion.
Moreover, it should be emphasised that almost all participants that participated in the discussion agreed that the constitutional changes in BiH have to be made sooner or later, but they also agreed that there is no political will for it.
However, their opinions are quite different and they are basically same as the opinions of political parties they represent either in the Municipal Council, cantonal Assembly or the House of Peoples in F BiH.
Representatives of the political parties with Croatian prefix advocate solution of the unequal position of Croats through the third entity since Republic of Sprska as territorial solution in BiH is unquestionable. Therefore, most of their discussions pointed out unequal position of Croats in BiH. They believe that this issue must be solved in the constitutional changes. Mr Mislav Sucic, the representative of House of Peoples of F BiH, spoke about this and he also pointed out that if there was referendum, 90% of Croats would have been for the third entity.
Nevertheless, there were Croatian representatives who advocated the opinion that the process of the constitutional reform must be continued and that the changes and additions to the Constitution should harmonise the highest state act with the current situation (Mr Ante Colak from HSS BiH spoke about this).
The problem of Federation BiH and its economic sustainability was emphasised at this public tribune. There was proposal to establish economically sustainable areas in F BiH in order to get the economically unburden entity as the part of the state. After that, constitutional changes would follow (Mr Kruno Vrdoljak, the representative of the cantonal Assembly, spoke about this).
It was also emphasised in the discussion that Bosnia and Herzegovina as a state is maintained by the international community, and not by the will of her citizens. If there would be poll at the whole territory of BiH – if the citizens are in favour of independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina or for some other option, the results would be disappointing (Mr Ivica Jozic, the representative in cantonal Assembly, spoke about this).

The analysis of the discussion resulted in several conclusions:
• The discussion was very well visited. The participants were carriers of the legislative authorities from the local communities of this canton and higher levels of the authorities. Representatives of the international organisation (LOT EUFOR) were also present at the round table.
• The discussion was very good, live and supported by arguments of the participants.
• Although political belonging could be recognised from the opinions presented in the discussion, it is highly important that FTC succeeded in gathering these representatives at this round table. The participants came by their own will to present their personal opinions and the opinions of their political parties. They were ready to hear different opinions and they participated in the discussion with other political options. This is very important since all political parties in BiH are very centralised and formal, without possibility for their members to have the influence on the opinion of their political top.

TV show on constitutional changes that was held on Radio-Television Mostar influenced the successfulness of the round table. It urged the participants to take part in the round table and, besides the opinions of their political parties, to present their own opinions.
The general conclusions from this round table are:
• that the opinions of the participants regarding constitutional changes are mostly contrary,
• that representatives of the political parties with the Croatian prefix are not only political, but also personal advocates of solution of the position of Croats in BiH with tendency towards creation of the third entity as a possible solution, and
• no matter the two previous conclusions, the participants expressed high level of tolerance for different opinions and readiness to hear each other.
The booklet “The Upgrade of the Bosnian Constitution Would Enable Faster European Integration” as well as the bulletins from all previously held public discussions were distributed to the participants as training materials.