Commenting on the results of the talks of representatives of 11 political parties from Bosnia-Herzegovina, held in the strict isolation of a hotel on Mt. Vlasic in central Bosnia, Ashdown told reporters that a definite agreement had been reached on the establishment of a police force that would work without political interference, as well as on the transfer of police powers to the national level.
This is an exceptional achievement, Ashdown said, adding that it was particularly important because it had been made by domestic politicians with international officials acting only as mediators.
What remains to be done is to define police areas in line with principles of efficient operative activity, Ashdown said.
The final decision on this matter is expected in continuation of the talks, after the working group determines proposals acceptable to all sides.
PM Adnan Terzic said that under the agreement reached on Mt. Vlasic, the country's future interior minister would have the same powers over police as in any other country.
He confirmed, though, that the minister would share some of his powers with a special police committee which would make decisions by consensus.
A community supervision council will exist on the national level to ensure the civilian supervision of police work.
Instead of the current 13 police structures, there will be only one, Ashdown said, adding that the agreement was of historic importance.
Neither Ashdown nor Terzic would give clear answers to suspecting reporters who wanted to know whether entity interior ministries would continue to exist and what police areas would look like.
Answering one of the questions, Ashdown admitted that the agreed police model in Bosnia was not similar to police systems in any other country, but he insisted that it was in line with the European practice.
But Bosnia-Herzegovina itself is an unusual country, he said.