Luxembourg, 21/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Reiterating their conclusions of 22 July, the EU foreign affairs ministers expressed their serious concern on 21 October about the failure of the third high level dialogue meeting with Bosnia on 1 and 10 October - particularly the current failure between the political leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina to implement the Court decision in the Sejdic/Finci case. The ministers stated - as has Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle on many occasions - that it is up to Bosnia-Herzegovina and the political leaders to make the necessary progress. The foreign affairs ministers also expressed their full support for the EU's efforts at mediation. The special representative for Bosnia, like Füle, has tried to play the role of mediator, but without success. The lack of a solution on the Sejdic/Finci judgment is blocking Sarajevo's progress towards the EU. The foreign affairs ministers announced that Bosnia will be discussed during the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 November.
Elsewhere, the mandate for the EUFOR Althea operation has finally not been amended. It will therefore comprise two parts - one on the training and development of the capacities of Bosnia's armed forces, and the other comprising an executive mandate which gives the possibility to react should the security situation deteriorate. Several member states recently called for this executive mandate to be abandoned. In its conclusions, the Council confirms the EU's resolve to continue a military role at this stage so as to support the authorities in maintaining the security climate under a mandate from the United Nations. The ministers state that the operation remains subject to regular review, including of the basis of the situation on the ground, with a view to making progress on the conditions for achieving the mandate. (CG and JK/transl.Fl)