On 8 June 2007, the regular Reform Process Monitoring (RPM) meeting brought together representatives of the BiH government, and the European Commission, headed by Mr. Dirk Lange, Head of Unit for Albania and BiH in the Directorate-General for Enlargement.

Mr. Lange said the lack of progress in police restructuring represents the main obstacle to BiH’s efforts to initial the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. BiH has fulfilled all technical pre-requisites for signing the SAA, but the lack of will and delays in police reform could impede the country’s favourable image in the future, he added.

Mr. Lange reminded the BiH authorities that a new progress report is due in November of this year and urged them to achieve concrete results by September. He did say, however, that the BiH authorities have made progress in drafting a series of projects and laws – seen as key conditions for the SAA – but stressed the EU expects them to adopt and implement this legislation as soon as possible.

Mr. Osman Topcagic, Director of the BiH Directorate for European Integration, said that during the two-day Reform Process Monitoring meeting, the BiH authorities and their partners from the European Commission paid special attention to the creation of a better climate in the area of trade, small- and medium-sized enterprises, industry, as well as taxation, customs policy, agriculture and fisheries.

During his visit, Mr. Lange is scheduled to visit Travnik, in Central BiH, on 8 and 9 June, 2007. He will meet the authorities of Middle Bosnia Canton, the Regional Development Agency and representatives of business and the association of employers, to get acquainted with economic development issues in this Canton. He will also visit the “Poljorad” dairy factory as well as cultural and historical monuments, such as the Travnik Fortress.

The European Union provided funding for the reconstruction of this fortress within the framework of its EURED Fund, which supports tourism development projects throughout BiH.