22.11.2000 OHR Sarajevo

High Representative meets FRY Foreign Minister, urges swift establishment of diplomatic relations between FRY and BiH

The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, today held positive and constructive talks in Sarajevo with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s new Foreign Minister, Goran Svilanovic.

Building on his visit to Belgrade last month, the High Representative underlined that the establishment of diplomatic relations between FRY and BiH would make a significant contribution to lasting peace in the region.

The High Representative stressed that only when state-to-state relations were on course could the two countries start to deal with border, citizenship and other issues, including the provision for special parallel relations in the Dayton Peace Agreement, to which Yugoslavia was a signatory.

The High Representative emphasised that Yugoslavia has a vital role to play in the implementation of the Dayton Accords, including the subsequent Declarations of the Peace Implementation Council. He called on the new Yugoslav government to help with refugee return, to work closely with BiH’s common institutions and to cooperate fully with the United Nations’ war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

The High Representative congratulated Mr Svilanovic on his recent appointment and said he looks forward to the new Yugoslav government’s concentrated efforts in normalising its relations with neighbouring countries, crucial to fostering greater regional stability and prosperity.