The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, today in Belgrade met with the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica. This was a follow up meeting to President Kostunica’s visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 19th. The meeting was also attended by an RS delegation including RS Vice-President Dragan Cavic and Deputy Prime Minister Petar Kunic.
The High Representative and President Kostunica, in a friendly atmosphere, discussed issues related to the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Their talks focused on cooperation between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular the prevention of illegal immigration, and the special relations agreement between the FRY and the Republika Srpska. Under the Dayton Peace Agreement, the RS has the right to establish a special, parallel relationship with a neighbouring state, as long as it is consistent with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with the Dayton Peace Agreement.
The High Representative took note of the current draft agreement that has been worked out between the FRY and RS delegations in consultation with the OHR, which made sure that the draft agreement meets all the requirements mentioned above and is in accordance with the BiH and RS Constitution.
The High Representative also met with the EU ambassadors to the FRY, updating them on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on ways in which the FRY, as a signatory to the Dayton Peace Agreement, can contribute to its implementation. The EU ambassadors acknowledged the importance of the regional dimension in their work. Later today the High Representative will meet with the US Ambassador, William Montgomery, and the Portugese Foreign Minister, Jaime Da Gama.
Tomorrow, the High Representative will meet with Yugoslavia’s Foreign Minister, Goran Svilanovic, and Serbia’s Vice Premier, Zarko Korac.