SARAJEVO, May 17 (Hina) - Members of the European Union ministerial Troika on Thursday slammed "Serb and Croat nationalists" in Bosnia-Herzegovina, accusing them of intentionally undermining the country's efforts to draw closer to
European associations. The recent events in Banja Luka and Mostar are shameful and cast a shadow on considerable efforts some politicians in Bosnia-Herzegovina have been investing in an attempt to make progress in bringing their country closer to the EU, said EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten. Anna Lindh, the Foreign Minister of Sweden - the country chairing the EU - said the new Bosnian authorities enjoyed the full support of the international community which at the same time had no understanding whatsoever for Serb and Croat nationalists. Lindh said the EU Troika was visiting Sarajevo to express their full support for the non-nationalist government of Bosnia-Her
SARAJEVO, May 17 (Hina) - Members of the European Union ministerial
Troika on Thursday slammed "Serb and Croat nationalists" in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, accusing them of intentionally undermining the
country's efforts to draw closer to European associations.
The recent events in Banja Luka and Mostar are shameful and cast a
shadow on considerable efforts some politicians in Bosnia-
Herzegovina have been investing in an attempt to make progress in
bringing their country closer to the EU, said EU Foreign Affairs
Commissioner Chris Patten.
Anna Lindh, the Foreign Minister of Sweden - the country chairing
the EU - said the new Bosnian authorities enjoyed the full support
of the international community which at the same time had no
understanding whatsoever for Serb and Croat nationalists.
Lindh said the EU Troika was visiting Sarajevo to express their full
support for the non-nationalist government of Bosnia-Herzegovina,
whose establishment had enabled a new partnership between the
country and the EU.
She confirmed that the EU fully supported actions by High
Representative Wolfgang Petritsch and his efforts to further
stabilise the peace process in the country.
Lindh explained that the premier of the Bosnian Serb entity, Mladen
Ivanic, had been requested to take urgent action and prevent
incidents like those in Banja Luka from happening again.
Croat nationalists are another problem, Lindh said, adding the EU
finds it unacceptable that their political activities are directed
at violating the basic regulations of the Bosnian constitution.
Both Lindh and Patten confirmed that Bosnia's admission to the
Council of Europe remained a precondition for further talks on a
stabilisation and association agreement.
Council of Europe membership depends on some other requirements,
such as the strengthening of the central bodies of authority, the
implementation of the Dayton agreement as well as the adoption of a
permanent election law. Lindh said it was now possible the BH
parliament could adopt the law.
Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) deputies today joined requests
that the BH House of Representatives open a debate on a permanent
election bill.
After having boycotted sessions of the state parliament in Sarajevo
for some time, some HDZ deputies returned to parliament for today's
session.
Patrick Volf, spokesman for the Office of the High Representative,
confirmed today that Petritsch's deputy Matthias Sonn had met some
senior HDZ officials on Wednesday.
Volf reiterated the OHR was ready to talk with moderate HDZ
members.
(hina) sb rml