LAJCAK: BOSNIA HAS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE EU ACCESSION PROCESS

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (January 11,2008) – The Internationl Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia, Miroslav Lajčák,told yesterday European Union member states that Bosnia must have a clear EU perspective which is credible and understandable for the Bosnian citizens.

He highlighted that there is no alternative to Bosnia's accession to the Union.

Lajcak was addressing an informal meeting of senior officials from EU foreign ministries organized by the Slovenian presidency of the EU.

He presented his assessment of the current political situation in Bosnia, including progress regarding police reform and constitutional reform, and the prospects for meeting the conditions for the signing of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement in the first half of this year.

The Internationl Community's High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia underlined the need for continued EU support in order to take the reform agenda in Bosnia forward.

The informal consultations took place in Brdo pri Kranju near Ljubljana,Slovenia, covering a broad range of foreign policy issues, with the Slovenian Presidency giving particular attention to the Western Balkans countries and their integration in the European Union.