The negotiations between the eleven political party leaders broke down late this evening because the RS political party leaders could not at this stage accept an agreement on police restructuring according to the EU’s three principals.
This means that it is now very unlikely that BiH will get a positive assessment on its Feasibility Study by the end of this month.
‘A great opportunity has been lost and the citizens of this country will pay a heavy price, including the citizens of the RS,’ said the High Representative this evening.
‘BiH is the only country in the region that is failing to make progress on the road to Europe’, he added.
RS political leaders have said that they cannot reach an agreement without going back to the RSNA.
The European Commission has made it clear that police restructuring according to its three principles is a necessary requirement for EU accession.
The High Representative said that this is a requirement that will not go away. The question is now how long will BiH and RS citizens have to wait. ‘The RSNA will now have to consider their position and if they change their view then we can reconvene these talks’ said the High Representative. ‘We won’t call you, you can call us’ he said.
The High Representative said that political leaders are still faced with a stark choice – agree to police restructuring and the path towards the EU – and the potential prosperity and opportunities is open – or refuse and face the consequences of isolation that that will bring.