High Representative and European Union Special Representative Valentin Inzko paid a visit to Belgrade today, where he met with the Serbian President Boris Tadić, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković and with the Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European integration, Božidar Đelić.

Serbian officials pointed out that the Republic of Serbia supports the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inzko addressed the overall political situation in BiH. Stressing that he sees Serbia as a partner that can contribute to positive developments in BiH, Inzko said: “Serbia and BiH share the same goal – joining the European Union. Regional cooperation and stability constitute a priority of the European integration process. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s progress would enhance the regional stability and accelerate BiH’s road to the EU, and Serbia can have an important role in that process.”

Valentin Inzko and Serbian officials agreed that economic cooperation between the two countries can and should be strengthened, and that intensified economic cooperation is ever more important in the circumstances of global recession. “Regional cooperation is one of the key priorities of European integration. The European Union is founded on constructive cooperation between states, and I therefore believe that Sarajevo and Belgrade must intensify dialogue and cooperation”, the High Representative and the European Union Special Representative concluded.