LONG WAY BEFORE BOSNIA GETS ACCEPTED INTO EU - HAJRIC

( Editorial: --> 9781 ) SARAJEVO, June 8 (Hina) - The adoption of a special statement on special relations between the European Union and Bosnia- Herzegovina by the UN Ministerial Council in Brussels on Monday is a big step and victory for BH, but it still does not mean that it will soon become full member of this organisation, foreign affairs advisor to the chairman of the BH Presidency, Mirza Hajric, said in Sarajevo on Monday. According to Hajric, the adopted statement is a result of efforts invested for a year and a half, and has placed Bosnia-Herzegovina "on tracks leading to the EU". "This is, however, a gradual process, and we are not even on the first step, we are in front of the main door," he said. Hajric stressed that it was impossible to estimate how much time it would take for BH to become member of the EU. Between 40,000 and 80,000 pages of different laws and regulations will have to be harmonised with norms valid in the European Union. Hajric said Izetbegovic would, at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement in BH, suggest a stop to futile discussions on the succession of property of the former Yugoslavia, that it be allocated by international arbitration, that those responsible for hindering of the peace agreement be identified and punished, and that additional measures be established for the return of refugees. Hajric also said the Executive Committee would be asked to support the idea on the establishment of a unified border police and the continuation of the "Equip and Train" programme. The Bosniak (Moslem) side cannot support the Memorandum on the reorganisation of the BH Radio and Television, that is, its regulations stipulating the introduction of an international supervisor, and will request an amendment to the regulation, Hajric said. (hina) lml 082108 MET jun 98