The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Zlatko Lagumdzija, together with the ministers, this morning discussed the most current political issues and agreed on future models of co-operation through the Consultative Partnership Forum.

The Forum will not constitute a new political institution, but will be a place where urgent issues are discussed and resolved at the top level. Participation by the High Representative and the Chair of the Council, Dr. Zlatko Lagumdzija, is envisaged for all meetings of the Forum. The topics will focus on issues related to the agenda which the Peace Implementation Council set at its meeting in Brussels last year, fostering BiH's integration into Europe. Thus the Consultative Partnership Forum will serve as a problem-solving component in the context of the peace process, reflecting a new relationship based on partnership between the international community and BiH’s government that is based on mutual respect and the ownership of BiH’s future by its citizens and elected authorities.

The Council and the High Representative also agreed on the basic rules concerning how the Partnership Forum will function, and decided to invite the participation of representatives of other executive and legislative bodies, institutions and organizations as appropriate. However, the main working relationship will be between the Council and the High Representative.

At their meeting, the High Representative and the Ministers also discussed the impact on BiH's economy and economic prospects of the cancellation of the tender for a third GSM operator, the tender for citizens’ identification documents, and solutions for future co-operation in these fields.