Brussels, 26/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers, meeting in Council in Luxembourg on Monday 25 June, restated their intention to further increase the role of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including by stepping up the EU's presence in the fields of law enforcement, rule of law and economic matters. Ministers also adopted a new budget of €5.25 million for the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 for EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Peter Sorensen, whose efforts they praised.
In its conclusions, the Council “looks forward” to continuing discussion with the international community on the reconfiguration of the international presence, “including its downsizing and possible relocation of the OHR, in the appropriate forum”.
Ministers also reiterated their “unequivocal” support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU perspective “as a sovereign and united country enjoying full territorial integrity”.
While welcoming the political progress in the country, the Council expressed concern at the lack of implementing political agreements, “the continued use of divisive ethnic rhetoric”, and the difficult economic situation. It made clear that Bosnia and Herzegovina must, as a matter of priority, bring its constitution into compliance with the European Convention of Human Rights. The member states said that a satisfactory track record in implementing its obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement/Interim Agreement would be a key component of a credible membership application to be considered by the EU. The Council also underlined that establishing an effective coordination mechanism for engagement with the EU and also ensuring fiscal sustainability remain key priorities.
Ministers said they were looking forward to the European Commission's high-level dialogue on the EU accession process on 27 June 2012.
Ministers repeated that the EU “condemns any attempts to minimise or deny the genocide which took place in Srebrenica”. (CG/transl.rt)