Brussels, 28/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 25 November, the EU and Bosnia-Herzegovina officially opened negotiations with a view to concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). Attending the ceremony for opening talks in Sarajevo, European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn praised the long road already covered by Bosnia-Herzegovina. He said: “Your country has a clear European perspective, which today becomes even more concrete and tangible. Today marks the start of a new phase in the relationship between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The SAA will provide “substantial benefits” for Bosnia as it will strengthen trading relations with the EU and create a more attractive investment environment. Citizens, also, will benefit from the agreement as it will result in better protection of consumers and the environment, and also provide more effective cooperation in the energy and social policy fields as well as in the fight against organised crime, the Commissioner explained. The upcoming Austrian EU Council Presidency intends to organise a major conference in the Balkans in March 2006 when stock will be taken of the different SAA negotiations on progress accomplished in the Balkan States since the Thesssaloniki summit in 2003, Rehn said.