The High Representative today met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. The two talked about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress in achieving the requirements in order to start Stablilisation and Association negotiations, and in order for BiH to become a member of Nato’s Partnership for Peace. The two leaders outlined the importance of police restructuring in the Stabilisation and Association process, and welcomed the agreement reached by BiH’s party leaders last week. The High Representative noted that there was still work to be done, and that the final political agreement must be ratified in both Entity parliaments. The two also discussed reform of the Public Broadcasting System. The adoption of a law that establishes a single and economically viable Public Broadcasting System is a requirement laid out in the Feasibility Study. Turning to BiH’s prospects for PfP membership, the HR noted the substantial progress made in transferring indicted war criminals to the ICTY, but noted the process will only be complete when both Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic are in The Hague.
Both also talked about the EU’s military engagement in BiH. Germany is a substantial contributor to the EU-led military force.