The High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák today launched a round of bilateral talks with BiH political leaders. The High Representative and EU Special Representative aims to address a number of open political issues to generate political consensus and ensure progress in BiH does not come to a standstill in the months ahead. Today in Sarajevo the HR/EUSR met with SDA President Sulejman Tihic.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative and the President of the SDA discussed the appointment of the BiH Ombudsmen. “Restarting the process from scratch would be a needless delay”, said the High Representative and EU Special Representative. “Parliament must find a means to harmonize positions on the Bosniak and Croat names before them and conclude this process as soon as possible.”

Looking ahead to activities for the Autumn, the High Representative and EU Special Representative called for a new readiness to resolve the State and Defense property issues and placing the Brcko District into the BiH Constitution. “Transition of the OHR will not take place at any price”, said Lajčák, “but it is on the way”. 

The High Representative and EU Special Represenative and the SDA President discussed the concerning developments in Stolac’s secondary school. The High Representative and EU Special Representative confirmed that he has been following the issue and that it was unacceptable for “children to be held hostage by politics”. Lajčák confirmed that he expected the situation to be resolved as a matter of urgency. 

With the Stabilisation and Association agreement now in place the High Representative and EU Special Representative and Mr. Tihic agreed that a meeting of party leaders from the governing state level coalition would secure faster progress on the road to Europe.