CROATIA AND SERBIA OWE BOSNIA 4,5 BILLION EUROS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (April 23,2008) - Several Bosnian government officials, helmed by the Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic met yesterday with a delegation of the Council of Europe Secretariat’s Monitoring Team led by Jean Louis Laurens.

President Silajdzic told them how Bosnia was encouraged to proceed with her efforts towards NATO membership in the recent summit of the Alliance. Also, he said that, despite all the obstacles and difficulties, Bosnia is making progress.

The recently adopted police reform laws are expected to open the door to the SAA signing, and after that to constitutional reform, Silajdzic said.

Situation in the region was also discussed, when Silajdzic asserted that Bosnia lacks the capacity to protect her interests in bilateral relations, and that the fact could reflect on security in the region. The Bosnian President accused neighbouring Serbia and Croatia for using Bosnia’s natural resources without paying for them. Croatia and Serbia owe Bosnia around EUR 4.5 billion so far, he said.
.