Serbia is fully committed to respecting the Dayton Peace Agreement and the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbian officials told the High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák during his two-day visit to Belgrade.

In talks with President Boris Tadić and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, Lajčák emphasized the progress achieved by the leaders of BiH in bringing the country closer to the European Union. The two parties also discussed relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the framework of the Dayton Peace Agreement and its consistent implementation.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative stressed that one of the most important tasks of his mandate is to ensure the functioning and integrity of all institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is also an obligation of all signatories and guarantors of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“The future of the Western Balkans lies in the European Union. BiH’s further progress towards that goal largely depends on implementing the Mostar declaration and the Action Plan on police reform. Political leaders should take advantage of the current favourable climate for European integration”, Lajčák said.

During the talks, Serbia reiterated its full commitment to respecting the Dayton Agreement, which reflects the equality of the constituent peoples and citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Serbian officials also assured the High Representative of their unequivocal support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its constitutional order, and stressed that any changes to the Constitution should be the product of a consensus among the three constituent peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.