Over the recent years, incredible progress has been visible in all countries in the region, and Croatia is the best example as it has reached the European Union membership. Even Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo have made very good headway. The only exception is Bosnia and Herzegovina. There lacks significant political progress for several recent years. We are sorry to see that as Bosnia and Herzegovina is not only loosing a chance to become a (EU) candidate, but it is also losing the confidence of foreign investors and partners. The worst thing would be to lose confidence of its citizens, the U.S. official said conveying the U.S. administration's disappointment with the fact that Bosnia still had no new government nine months after the general elections.
Countryman said that all political parties in Bosnia should be held responsible for that crisis.
He went on to say that the basics of the Dayton peace accords, which stopped the war in Bosnia in 1995, must not be challenged.
This must be one state, two strong and able entities and three constituent peoples, he said adding that it could not be altered as those were the foundations of peace in Bosnia.
Currently the first job is to form the state government, and after that it is possible to talk about constitutional reforms, he said.
As for Serbia, the United States expects it not only to fully cooperate with the Hague-based (UN) tribunal but also to carry out internal reforms and show the will to solve the problem with Kosovo, according to Countryman.
He said that all countries in the region had prospects of joining NATO.
Macedonia could be immediately ready for NATO membership provided that it solves the name dispute with Greece, he said.
As for Serbia's prospects of joining the alliance, this decision will be in the hands of Belgrade, and this is not a topical issue for political and historical reasons, the US official said.
Croatia can set a model to the entire region, Countryman added. It can help actively to every neighbour in the region not only through technical experience from its accession but also through efforts to improve bilateral relations in the Balkans, he said.
We respect efforts by President Ivo Josipovic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor to improve relations with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and all neighbours. It is a great contribution to the stability of the entire region, Countryman concluded.