11/21/2007 OHR / EUSR

Lajčák expects party leaders to make progress on EU agenda

Party leaders need to build on the discussions initiated in Mostar on 24 October and signal a return to the path of European integration, the High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák said ahead of a meeting of six party leaders of the governing coalition in Sarajevo tomorrow.

“The Mostar Declaration is a good basis for police reform, but is not sufficient unless it is followed-up by concrete steps, primarily the drafting of laws”, Lajčák said. “EU requirements will not go away, and party leaders must finally meet their commitments and deliver results.”

The High Representative and EU Special Representative also urged participants in tomorrow’s meeting to discuss amendments to the Rules of Procedure in the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, which need to be brought into line with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“As representatives of the governing coalition, party leaders have a clear responsibility to ensure the functionality of the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Lajčák said.

The HR/EUSR confirmed that he would join party leaders for their meeting tomorrow, and stressed that regular meetings of leaders of the governing coalition, if they are structured and produce concrete results, can help calm down the current political situation in the country.