“I highly value the ideas on the way forward on Bosnia and Herzegovina presented last night in Berlin by German Foreign Minister, Frank Walter Steinmeier, and British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond. They advocate a new approach, which I have had the chance of discussing with them in the last days, with the objective to get Bosnia and Herzegovina moving again on the reform track so it can proceed on its EU path.

We all agree that after the recent elections Bosnia and Herzegovina should not remain in a stalemate. Good work has been done in the past by the EU and its international partners to assist the country in overcoming its challenges. But a new spirit is needed to effectively deal with reforms which are the key not only for the EU way of the country, but also and mainly for its citizens’ lives.

The ideas of my German and British colleagues are timely and they address the real issue. I will take this reflection forward at the first opportunity, at the next Foreign Affairs Council on 17 November, when we can have a more thorough discussion with all EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. I also intend to visit Sarajevo at the earliest to engage with the new leadership on the way forward.”