EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and the High Representative and EU Special Representative (HR/EUSR) for Bosnia and Herzegovina Miroslav Lajcak met today in Brussels. During their meeting Commissioner Rehn informed Mr. Lajcak on the Report adopted yesterday by the Commission assessing the progress achieved in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the past year, as well as the Commission’s proposal for the medium and long-term objectives for the reforms necessary for EU integration. HR/EUSR Lajčák briefed Commissioner Rehn on developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how they reflect on country’s European perspective.

Commissioner Rehn once again underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a clear European perspective provided that it fulfils the conditions established for EU membership. He fully supported the efforts of HR/EUSR Lajčák in Bosnia and Herzegovina to build a more democratic, functional and sustainable State that will allow the country to improve the lives of its citizens and better respond to EU requirements.

“The ruling parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina should now build on the Declaration adopted in Mostar recently and move the country back on the European agenda. Europe is ready and waiting for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We honour our promises and expect Bosnia and Herzegovina to do its part” said Commissioner Rehn.

HR/EUSR Miroslav Lajčák said following the meeting: “The country’s political leaders must take the country out of the crisis and decide what direction they want their country to take: do they want to move forward on the road to Europe, or stall and fall behind their neighbors. They need to determine whether European integration is a real priority “.