PRODI: EU'S DOORS REMAIN OPEN FOR BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, April 6 (Hina) - European Commission president Romano Prodi has called on the authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina to intensify efforts in building institutions of the political system and stabilising economy if they want to join the European Union. #L# Following a meeting with the Bosnian Presidency members, held in Sarajevo on Saturday, Prodi told reporters that the door to the EU remained open for Bosnia-Herzegovina, but it was up to the country and its citizens to carry out the necessary preparations for that step. This refers primarily to the establishment of the political and economic structure, the EC president said, adding that Bosnia could and should keep its specific characteristics as any other EU country, but it should also support and start implementing some generally accepted standards. Prodi would not speculate on how much time Bosnia would need to integrate with the EU, but BH Presidency chairman Beriz Belkic said that it was completely clear what the country had to do on its way to the EU. "We fully agree on what this country should be like to be able to join the EU. It must be an integrated, multiethnic and self- sustainable state as that is the only way it will be able to function within the EU," Belkic said. The EC and BH Presidency officials agreed that the country had made some progress in the past several months. That progress refers primarily to some economic aspects - the stability of the domestic currency, a low inflation rate, and the efficient functioning of the central bank and the state border service. However, other major commitments remain, including the implementation of a constitutional court decision on all three peoples being constituent throughout the country, the organisation of elections, to be held in October, and the adjustment of entity legislation, which is a precondition for foreign investments. (hina) rml