The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, met yesterday with a Lojze Peterle, the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Discussions focused on progress in peace implementation, highlighting once again the importance of functioning common institutions, economic reform and the returns process.
Slovenia remains an example to countries in transition in the region, and the Slovenian delegation agreed with the High Representative that the leaders of BiH to must begin to prepare now for European integration through the introduction of sound fiscal policy and by providing the young people of BiH with the education and expertise that will enable them to succeed within the European family of nations. The delegation also stressed that BiH must tackle the problem of illegal immigration, which is already affecting its neighbours.
The High Representative took this opportunity to thank the Slovenian government for their humanitarian assistance and support for the peace process.