GERMAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION IN A FIVE DAY VISIT TO BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 31,2008) – Delegation of the German Parliament (Bundestag) shall visit Bosnia from today (March 31) to April 4.All delegates, as it was stated from the German Embassy in Bosnia are also members of the parliamentary group of friendship between Germany and Bosnia. That is why their primary partners in discussions will be delegates of the Bosnian Parliament which deal with issues regarding European integration processes.

German Delegation shall meet with members of the Bosnian Presidency, political party leaders, executive authority, economy experts, representatives of religious communities, civil society and youth representatives.

It is planned that Bundestag delegates asides Sarajevo visit Mostar and Banja Luka and to meet with representatives of German political foundations, Credit Bank for Development (KfW), Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), representatives of German economy and German cultural institutions in Bosnia.

The German Ambassador to Bosnia, Michael Schmunk shall host the delegation.
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PRESIDENT SILAJDZIC: BOSNIA SHOULD USE SPAIN'S EXPERIENCE IN CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROCESSES

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 31,2008) – The Bosnian President Haris Silajdzic had a meeting in Sarajevo with the Deputy Spanish Ambassador to Bosnia Jose Ramon Garcia Hernandez and Spanish constitutional law expert Albert Dorreg de Carlos, who is in a two-day visit to Bosnia.

President Silajdzic emphasized that Bosnia can largely use the experience of Spain in the process of constitutional reforms because of the similar structure and historical experience between the two countries. He added that Bosnia should protect the local level of authority and functional democracy.

De Carlos emphasized that such a system functions in Spain because of a clear division of different levels of authority and inability of blockade of state laws or lower level levels of authority.

The Deputy Spanish Ambassador to Bosnia stated that the country supports Bosnia's association processes and that he hopes Bosnia will soon fulfil the remaining conditions necessary for singing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.
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OHR: SAA REQUIREMENTS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MATERIAL INTERESTS OF BOSNIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 31,2008) - Political parties represented in the Bosnian Parliament should first focus on the requirements for signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU which will have tangible benefits for all Bosnian citizens rather than on their own privileges and benefits, the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR) said.

"It is clear that little or no discussion is taking place between parliamentary parties to prepare the successful passage of the police reform legislation without which Bosnia cannot sign a Stabilisation and Association Agreement," OHR said.

"The draft salaries and pension legislation is now being resubmitted into parliamentary procedure for the fourth time.

The proposed Law would enable members of the Bosnian Parliament to receive more generous pension and other welfare benefits than the rest of the population, at the time when hundreds of thousands of people in Bosnia are unemployed or live on or below the poverty line.

Parts of the draft legislation are so vague as to obscure from public scrutiny what the real costs of these measures would be.Nowhere in the draft Law is there any requirement that links performance to these increased emoluments.

Politicians and parliamentarians would be ill-advised to move ahead with the Draft Law on Rights and Obligations of the Delegates of the Bosnian Parliamentary Assembly without showing that they have earned these benefits," OHR said.
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HEAD OF ITALIAN ARMED FORCES GENERAL VINCENZO CAMMPORINI VISITED BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 31,2008) – Head of the Italian Armed Forces General Vincenzo Cammporini had a meeting with Head of the Bosnian Armed Forces Colonel General Sifet Podzic.

They emphasized the optimal cooperation between the Bosnian and Italian armed forces. They also expressed willingness to continue cooperating. That cooperation will in future include support of the Italian Armed Forces to the Bosnian Armed Forces on the way to the NATO membership.

The Bosnian and Italian officials agreed to support the training of the Bosnian Armed Forces’ officers in Italy who are to be sent to the peace support missions. They also agreed to support the STANAG English Language test, which will be beneficial for the Bosnian Armed Forces’ members on Bosnia's way to the NATO membership.

This has been the first visit of General Cammporini to Bosnia.
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ITALIANS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPMENT OF SPA AND HEALTH TOURISM IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 31,2008) – The Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Samir Silajdzic met with Italian delegation led by Maria Rosaria Marineri, Senator and Minister of Tourism of Lecce province and discussed about participation of Bosnia at the first international fair of spa tourism which is to be held in June in Italy.

Bosnia along with countries of the region is part of the project of the development of spa and health tourism worth 348.000 Euros, financed by the EU and country host of the project, Italy and its region Lecce.

Guests from Italy did not hide their good impressions after visiting Fojnica, spa health center, and Fojnica convent.

"This country, Sarajevo and Fojnica as well as other parts are regions of strong identity and wealth of typical and authentic products. This should be presented in your tourist offer and we hope that we will jointly present your tourism at the fair in June in Italy. I was especially impressed by the cultural and historical heritage which will be interesting for tourists around the world”, stated Maria Rosaria Marineri.
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