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What we have just witnessed together, I profoundly hope and believe, is the birth of a new chapter in the story of this young country. Let the message go forth to the people of this nation and to the world: Bosnia and Herzegovina stands on the threshold of a new era. The eyes of the people of this nation are on you, the members of the Presidency inaugurated here today. Some look to you with confidence; one or two - perhaps slightly more than one or two, that is how it is in a democracy, with a touch of scepticism. But all look to you with hope, hope which they invest in you, hope that the pledges which you have made solemnly in our presence this morning will mean better lives and a brighter future for all of them, wherever they come from, whatever their ethnic origins. The ceremony that we have just witnessed has conferred on you the mantle of leadership. It has confirmed, formally and solemnly, the judgement of the people of this country made at polling stations the length and breadth of the land, where they voted in huge numbers and with even greater expectation. What was it that they were voting for that election weekend? For a Presidency which would work for their interests, together. For leaders at the highest level of the State who will strive in a spirit of solidarity to attempt to build a future worth living in . Above all, they voted for change. For an end to the stale arguments of the past. For a new beginning. For real progress towards peace and reconciliation across this country. For the implementation - in full - of the Dayton agreement. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina know that they cannot change the past; still less can they dare to forget it. But they know they can shape the future. They have entrusted that task to you. Now they look to you to fulfil it. It is a formidable challenge that you face. Before you are many long months of toil and debate. But having seen you at work in your first session last week, I have every confidence in your ability to make rapid progress. At that meeting you swiftly despatched the first item on your agenda - the future venue for your meetings - and set the tone for a constructive relationship. Mr Presidents, I admire such resolute action; I took it as an encouraging sign. Divided, you achieve nothing. But there is no limit to what you can accomplish together. So I hope you will be able to address all the issues which confront you in an equally business-like and professional manner. Changes to the rules of procedure for example, and to the workings of the Council of Ministers; moves to make the common institutions, which this country desperately needs, function more efficiently. For our part, the international community will do all it can to assist you in your work. This morning, you pledged to work with dedication and commitment for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to work fully to implement the Dayton accords. And in return we make this pledge to you: we will march at your side on the road to forward. We will share the burden with you. But we look to you to lead the way, to chart the route and to set the pace. We hope it will be a brisk one. That is your job, not ours. In the coming years, our role will diminish. This is your country, and it is for you, not for us, to chart its destiny and craft its future. It is for you to run your own affairs. In these recent years, we have carried the burden together. We have made good progress. But the closer we get to the summit, the more it will be for you to determine your future, and the more we will fade from the scene. So now the torch of leadership passes to you, the new joint Presidents. Carry it forward with vigour. Let it burn brightly as a beacon of hope, of reconciliation and of peace, a symbol for your own people, and as an example to the peoples of the world. And in the words of that old song, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are saying to you: "Sve sto vam zelimo reci je: dajte sansu miru!".
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