SOLANA RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT POLITICAL TENSIONS IN BOSNIA

BRUSSELS, Belgium (November 20.2007) - The EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Javier Solana expressed concern yesterday about growing political tensions in Bosnia, following the resignation of Prime Minister Nikola Spiric.

"I am very concerned at the deterioration of the political climate in Bosnia ," Solana told EU defence ministers during talks in Brussels yesterday.

"Current difficulties include the rhetoric of some political leaders, delays in the reform process, problems with the functioning of the Bosnian state institutions,Spiric's resignation and delays in implementing the EU reform agenda," Solana said.

Solana urged the European Union to "maintain a consistent line that reminds the political leadership in Bosnia of their obligations to uphold the constitutional order."

"Police reform is a key conditions for moving on," he said, according to an extract of his remarks provided by his office.

Portugal, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, underlined that the European Union Force in Bosnia (EUFOR) would stay on in Bosnia as long as needed.

"The situation is stable. There are no concerns about security but the political situation in Bosnia deserves our attention," said the Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Severiano Teixeira.

"The European Union must maintain its military presence in Bosnia as long as necessary for the stability of the region," Teixeira told reporters after the meeting.