The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Miroslav Lajčák, met with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini in Rome today to inform him about the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s progress in meeting the five objectives and two conditions defined by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council for the OHR/EUSR transition.

“Significant progress has been made in the implementation of five objectives,” said the High Representative and EU Special Representative. “However, two very important issues remain unresolved; a viable solution for the State property issue is yet to be found, and Brcko District’s full integration into the constitutional structure of BiH is yet to be ensured.”  “Both require additional efforts from all parties that make up the ruling coalition”.

The HR/EUSR, Miroslav Lajčák underlined that BiH’s political leaders will need to show a much more positive approach if the second condition set by the Peace Implementation Council — a positive assessment by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, based on the full adherence to the Dayton Peace Agreement – is to be met.

“BiH citizens want to see a more positive approach from their politicians and expect them to address those issues that will result in better standard of living, tackle unemployment, corruption and crime and to ensure country’s swift progress on its path to the EU”, said the High Representative and EU Special Representative.

During the meeting in Rome, the High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák informed the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH’s progress towards meeting the requirements defined by the Stabilization and Association Agreement and fulfilling conditions of the short-term priority list that will be used by the European Commission for assessing BiH’s overall progress towards EU membership.

Minister Frattini reiterated that Italy, as well as all other EU members, is committed to helping Bosnia and Herzegovina reach it’s EU accession goal.