High Representative and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák met with the SDA President Sulejman Tihić in Sarajevo today to discuss the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly the implementation of the agreement reached by the leaders of HDZ BiH, SDA and SNSD in Prud, as well as the priorities of the EU integration, which should once more become the focus of political activities in BiH.

“After the signing of the SAA, the Prud process is a positive development in BiH’s political life, since it represents a local process aimed at reaching agreements and making compromises that result in the strengthening of the state. The Prud process as such enjoys strong support from the international community, which expects that agreements originating from the Prud process will be implemented through the parliamentary procedure as soon as possible. The parliamentary process offers a chance to other political parties to give their contribution to the resolution of these crucial issues. Only once these solutions are adopted in the Parliament will it be possible to claim that the process has been successfully brought to an end”, High Representative and EU Special Representative Lajčák said.

The existing stalemate within the EU integration processes is damaging for BiH, especially for its citizens. The EU is ready to help, but BiH has to demonstrate a clear commitment to the integration process and to start acting as a partner, and not as a passive bystander. “BiH cannot ask to be a candidate for EU membership or expect visa facilitation without clear results, demonstrating that BiH’s institutions take their obligations seriously”, Lajčák concluded.