High Representative and EU Special Representative Valentin Inzko met today in Ljubljana with Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar. Discussion focused on the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the continuing international effort to make Bosnia and Herzegovina a functional state irreversibly on course to European Union membership.

HR/EUSR Inzko said that the political situation in the country is not optimal. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the pre-election time. There are clear signals that nationalistic and populist rhetoric will again prevail in the pre-election campaign. Therefore, another opportunity will be lost for the local politicians to present their ideas on how to bring this country forward. “The time has arrived for politicians to demonstrate who really care about economy, healthcare, corruption-free society”, said Inzko.

HR/EUSR Inzko expressed his view that the slow pace of reform in BiH and the lack of political will are preventing Bosnia and Herzegovina from moving forward towards EU integration.

“I want to thank Slovenia for the support it is giving Bosnia and Herzegovina in its efforts to make progress in Euro-Atlantic integration,” HR/EUSR Inzko said. “I hope that Slovenia will continue to promote Bosnia and Herzegovina in NATO and the EU. Of course, I also count on Slovenia’s continued presence in the area of economy. It is extremely important that Bosnia and Herzegovina does not lag behind the other countries in the region.”