Brussels, 31/08/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 31 August, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn regretted the fact that the leaders of the two main political parties in Bosnia, Haris Siljadzic and Sulejman Tihic, had publicly rejected (without discussion) plans to reach agreement on police reform unveiled on Wednesday by the EU's Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak. The Commissioner said this undermined ongoing efforts to reach agreement and had set back Bosnia Herzegovina's chances of concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.
In a press release, Commissioner Rehn said: 'I thank Mr Lajcak for his efforts to facilitate a comprehensive agreement on police reform that enables Bosnia Herzegovina to move towards the European Union. Mr Lajcak has my full support. His draft proposal on police reform is in line with the three EU principles set out by the European Commission. I strongly encourage all political parties to continue to work constructively with Mr Lajcak on the basis of his proposal and reach a comprehensive agreement without delay.' The plan was unveiled on Wednesday to reform the police force, which is required for the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement negotiated in December 2006. As Olli Rehn was going to press, all parties in the Srpska Republic also rejected the plan. Croatian parties did not comment. Addressing reporters on Friday about the Commissioner's statement, Rehn's spokesperson Amadeou Altafaj said that as far as the Commission was concerned police reform was a vital element. He said the Commission saw reform of the police as a crucial part of the current process which the Commission saw as hugely important and would therefore be closely monitoring. (aby)