The High Representative and EU Special Representative, Valentin Inzko, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovak Republic, Miroslav Lajčák, in Sarajevo today. The HR/EUSR briefed Minister Lajčák on political developments and on the status of efforts to make Bosnia and Herzegovina a functional country and put it back on the road to EU integration, a road from which it has deviated in the last three years.

HR/EUSR Inzko highlighted a lack of political will as the main cause for the slow pace of reforms, which is preventing Bosnia and Herzegovina from achieving progress on the way to EU integration. The HR/EUSR stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot afford the luxury of losing another year because of the forthcoming elections, which are being used as an excuse by politicians to do nothing, fearing that if they make mistakes it could lead to poor election results.

The HR/EUSR and the Foreign Minister agreed both stressed that the international community will do everything in its power to prevent the election campaign from being used as an excuse for further delays with respect to the EU agenda.

The HR/EUSR thanked Minister Lajčák for Slovakia’s continuing support for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the process of EU integration.