Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

“I am very concerned about the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Decision adopted yesterday by the Republika Srpska National Assembly has been a step in the wrong direction. Such unilateral steps are not bringing solutions for the country to move forward. Only mutually agreed reforms provide for much wanted and needed progress.

The EU believes in the importance of an effective and independent judiciary, which is a key element for EU accession. The EU therefore supports the work of the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the State Prosecutor’s Office and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

I call on the political leaders not to undermine the progress achieved to date and to address their concerns through the appropriate institutional channels. Bosnia and Herzegovina needs its political leadership to engage in a constructive, structured political dialogue between all parties concerned,which opens the way to much needed reforms. I expect all the politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take that responsibility individually and collectively.

After the initial already undertaken contacts with the local politicians, MD M. Lajcak will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina soon.”