The European Commission is of the opinion that as far as the three EU basic principles are concerned, that there is no room for negotiation. In any case, Entities are not the appropriate institutional interlocutor when matters related to European integration are involved.

The BiH authorities are expected to reach a comprehensive political agreement respecting the EU principles, namely: securing the exclusive state-level competences on police, the elimination of political interference from police and ensuring that police regions are determined on the basis of technical and professional criteria.

These principles have been known by the authorities for several months. They have been repeatedly and clearly reiterated by the most senior decision makers of the European Commission and are not going to change.

The energy which seems at present to be devoted to engineer delaying tactics would be better put to use in trying to define an agreement by mid September if SAA negotiations are to start before the end of the year.