The municipal elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were free of major incidents, which should now enable political parties to focus their energy on the challenges of EU integration, Lajčák told the Political and Security Committee, a key EU foreign policy body, in Brussels today.

However attractive the European perspective is to a majority of the population of BiH, Lajčák warned that the European Union should anticipate that some of its policies will meet obstacles. “Despite claims from all political parties that they share the common goal of EU integration, conflicting and mutually exclusive visions of the future prevail. This might impact the EU integration process”.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a standard transition country and the EU will focus its resources and attention to help the country complete the nescessary reforms. The EU is ready to take the leading role once BiH fulfills the objectives and conditions set by the Peace Implementation Council for OHR transition.

The EU’s goal of ensuring that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a “peaceful and viable state irreversibly on course for European Integration” therefore requires determination and a continued EU presence on the ground. In this context, Lajčák paid tribute to the efforts of the European Commission Delegation, EUFOR and EUPM in reinforcing the EU’s comprehensive approach towards Bosnia and Herzegovina and supporting its progress in the EU integration process.