BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ZELJKO KOMSIC MET WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY

PARIS, France (December 20,2007) - The Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic met yesterday in Paris with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.They discussed bilateral ties and developments in the region, including tensions in Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo.

Bosnia will recognize the independence of Kosovo if a majority of the countries of the EU so decides,even if that means instability in the region," said the Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic.

"In the event of unilateral action, Bosnia will take the same position as that of the European Union and NATO," President Komsic said.

"We want to discuss the future, the accession to the European Union and not the ghosts of the past. That is what Bosnia needs," said President Komsic.

The French President Nicolas Sarkozy assured the Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic that France supports "the EU perspective of Bosnia".

Komsic invited Sarkozy to visit Bosnia, which could be done in 2009. "At that time, I hope we will be much further in our journey towards accession to the European Union," said the Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic.

The Bosnian and French leaders also addressed the political situation in Bosnia as well as the country's potential for membership in the European Union.

The visit is part of a broader series of bilateral talks between the French President Nicolas Sarkozy and other Southeastern European leaders. On Monday Monday Sarkozy received the Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa and on Tuesday the Croatian President Stjepan Mesic.