LAJCAK AND WITTHAUER MET WITH NATO'S DEPUTY SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER MCCOLL

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 30,2007) - The Commander of the European Union Force in Bosnia (EUFOR), Rear Admiral Hans Jochen Witthauer and the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajčák, met yesterday with General John McColl who took over the role as NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the EU’s Operation Commander for Operation ALTHEA on 22 October 2007.

This is his first visit to Bosnia since his appointment and it comes at a time critical for the country's reform and integration processes. General McColl received a thorough briefing by both Lajcak and Witthauer on the military and political situation in Bosnia.

During his meeting with Miroslav Lajcak, General McColl expressed EUFOR's continued full support to the International Community's High Representative, his mandate and his important mission in Bosnia.

General McColl emphasized the importance of continuing the close and excellent working relations between EUFOR and the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR) and stressed that EUFOR would continue to contribute to the safe and secure environment throughout Bosnia, in accordance with the Dayton-derived mandate.

The joint conclusion of the meeting was that the European path is the only solution for achieving long-term stability in the whole region. It is the best way forward for Bosnia, EUFOR and OHR said.

"This means we must work to produce a step-change in the domestic political dynamic – a step-change that will not only facilitate a Stabilisation and association Agreement between Bosnia and the European Union, but also constitutional reform and the consolidation of Bosnia as a peaceable, law-abiding and functional state" the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajčák,stated.