EU Special Representative Valentin Inzko is in Stockholm today to address the Political Directors of EU member states during an informal planning session. The Swedish Government yesterday took on the EU Presidency and has already announced a focus on the Western Balkans during their tenure.

In his address the EUSR highlighted how slow delivery and negative actions have led to delays on the European partnership priorities including the non-appointment of the Director of the BiH Directorate for EU Integration, the OHR transition agenda, and to the development of a meaningful political dialogue amongst BiH political leaders.

“As a result of the insufficient level of attention from BiH authorities, progress on the Euro-Atlantic agenda has been modest,” said the EUSR.

This lack of urgency and vision on EU related issues from the BiH authorities has brought about a situation in which BiH’s citizens will not see the benefits of visa liberalization before early next year. “This will be a regrettable failure and an embarrassment for BiH’s political leadership,” said Inzko.

The EU Special Representative will discuss with the EU Political Directors the growing role of the EU in BiH. “Concrete progress in addressing the objectives and conditions which have been set for OHR-to-EUSR transition are clearly linked to BiH’s wish to move forward on the Euro-Atlantic integration agenda”, said Inzko.

The EU Special Representative welcomed the Swedish EU Presidency’s commitment to the region’s EU future and thanked the outgoing Czech EU Presidency.