Brussels, 12/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 11 December, the General Affairs Council of the European Union called on Bosnia-Herzegovina and its leaders to intensify their efforts to fulfil the commitments they have made on the country's European integration, and to attain results. They deplored the fact that Bosnia-Herzegovina's progress on its European agenda has stalled. “The formation of stable governments at all levels, which will focus on the EU agenda is a priority. The EU will continue to strengthen its support for Bosnia-Herzegovina's EU integration process”, the EU ministers stated in their conclusions.
While hailing the start of the high level dialogue on Bosnia-Herzegovina's accession process, the EU ministers expressed their concern at the absence of implementation of the political agreements. The ministers recalled that the entry into force of the stabilisation and association agreement, and a credible membership application, could only come about with Sarajevo's credible endeavours to make its constitution comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Council also stressed that the establishment of an effective coordination mechanism for engagement with the EU remains a key priority. It also called on the relevant authorities to engage in a structured dialogue on justice in the stabilisation and association agreement process and to implement the measures linked to neighbouring Croatia's accession to the EU. The ministers reaffirmed their “full support” for the reinforced EU presence on the ground. (CG/transl.fl)