REHN: EU TO SIGN PRE-ACCESSION ACCORD WITH BOSNIA ON JUNE 16

BRUSSELS, Belgium (May 27,2008) – The European Union and Bosnia will sign a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) on June 16th, the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels yesterday after opening the discussion on lifting visas for Bosnian citizens.Commissioner Rehn confirmed the date at a joint press conference with Bosnia's Prime Minister Nikola Spiric and Vice President of the European Commission Jacques Barrot where it was also announced that dialogue over liberalizing the visa regime for Bosnian citizens has begun.

“We opened dialogue today for the liberalization of visas between Bosnia and the EU, based on the ‘road map’ that will presented in the next few weeks,” Barrot said.

He added that the dynamics of the talks would depend on Bosnia’s capacity to meet criteria such as the introduction of biometric passports.

Spiric said that this was a good day for Bosnia and stated that the country was ready to meet all the necessary conditions as soon as possible.
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