The High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák met with the Japanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shintaro Ito, and other senior officials in Tokyo today. He presented the current political situation in BiH and outlined the progress this country had made with respect to meeting the five conditions and two objectives set by the PIC in February of this year. 

Leading politicians have still not agreed on the issues of state property allocation and the status of Brčko. Their stirring of nationalist tensions, calls for a unilateral change of the constitutional structure and failure to meet the priorities for OHR/EUSR transition will be on the agenda of the next session of the PIC Steering Board.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative Lajčák reiterated that the EU perspective is the key strategic priority for Bosnia-Herzegovina. “The progress in European integration, together with NATO membership, gives Bosnia-Herzegovina and its citizens stability, security and a better future”, Lajčák said.

Lajčák also welcomed Japan’s commitment to BiH and thanked the country for its assistance to date.