High Representative and EU Special Representative, Valentin Inzko, met today in Sarajevo with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Slovakia Miroslav Lajčák.
Outlining the current political challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Inzko noted that the situation had been affected by the proximity of general elections.
In response to this situation, the international community and the EU have upped their focus on this country. High Representative Ashton, NATO Secretary General Rasmussen, Foreign Ministers Moratinos, Frattini, and Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg among others have visited BiH in recent months, voicing the need to put Bosnia and Herzegovina back on track of Euro Atlantic integrations.
“The summit to be held in Sarajevo on 2 June will confirm the EU’s commitment to stability and prosperity in the region,” said HR/EUSR Inzko. BiH should seize the opportunity and, in general, its authorities should demonstrate increased efforts to deliver on EU accession related reforms, which the citizens expect them to.
Despite the current political deadlock some developments can be expected with regard to the visa liberalization where BiH has made real progress. “This shows that progress, with concrete benefit for the citizens, is possible when citizens, media and civic society together apply sufficient pressure,” said Inzko.