Lajčák meets Tadić, Jeremić in Belgrade

The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Miroslav Lajčák, met today in Belgrade with the President of Serbia, Boris Tadić, and Serbian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vuk Jeremić. Today’s visit is part of the High Representative/EU Special Representative’s efforts to coordinate with representatives of the countries in the region, in particular the signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement, in respect of issues of importance for peace implementation in BiH and the EU accession process. Besides being a signatory to the Dayton Agreement, Serbia and BiH share the same ambition of future membership in the European Union.

The High Representative/EU Special Representative informed President Tadić and Minister Jeremić about the current political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing that the recent attacks against the international community and judicial institutions of BiH cannot have any positive effects.

Other topics of the meetings were bilateral relations of the two countries, as well as the special and parallel relations. The High Representative/EU Special Representative reminded that that right was granted by the Dayton Peace Agreement. “Special parallel relations can have a positive impact but they have to be presented in a transparent manner to all partners in BiH in order to avoid any possible misunderstandings”, Lajčák stressed.

They also considered the steps that BiH and Serbia should take to accelerate the process of reforms necessary for joining the European Union.

Serbian officials expressed clear and firm support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and stressed that BiH had the full support of Serbia in the European integration process.

Miroslav Lajčák welcomed such a clear position of President Tadić and Minister Jeremić with regard to the state sovereignty of Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing that the messages coming from Serbia are positive. “It is in the interest of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and the entire region to have a good atmosphere, in particular in the context of European integration, having in mind the fact that both countries have signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement,” said the High Representative/EU Special Representative.