LAJCAK AND McCOLL DISCUSSED POLITICAL SITUATION IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (April 17,2008) – The International Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia Miroslav Lajčák met yesterday with General John McColl, NATO’s Deputy Supreme Commander Europe and Operation Commander of Operation Althea/EUFOR in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

Briefing General McColl on the current political situation in Bosnia the High Representative-EU Special Representative said that Bosnia today faces two strategic goals: EU integration and constitutional reform.

“The immediate priority is singing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, which needs to be followed by wide-ranging reforms in the country to adapt its administration and economy to EU standards and norms,” Lajcak said.

The High Representative and EU Special Representative further welcomed the close co-operation between the European Union Force in Bosnia (EUFOR) and the Office of the International Community's High Representative and the EU Special Representative in Bosnia (OHR/EUSR), noting that EUFOR’s presence is welcomed by Bosnia and underlines the EU’s commitment to the country.
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