US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Bosnia yesterday (12 October) that it must catch up with its neighbours and integrate into Europe, saying it was time for the country to unite to deliver the promise of 1995 peace accords. In a meeting with Sarajevo university students, Clinton praised the progress made so far but said much more needed to be done to cement Bosnia's European future.
"Hatreds have eased, but nationalism persists. Meanwhile, the promise of greater stability and opportunity, represented by integration into Europe, remains out of reach," Clinton said, urging the country to set aside ethnic differences and meet requirements for joining the European Union and NATO.
"Your neighbours have taken strides in that direction. They know that there is no better way to achieve sustained economic growth and long-term political stability than by integrating with Europe," Clinton said. "Now is the time for the citizens of this country to make your voices heard."
Clinton's trip, which also takes her to Serbia and Kosovo, comes a week after Bosnian polls that appeared likely to prolong deadlock between its Muslim, Croat and Serb populations.
US officials say they hope the visit to Bosnia, which then President Bill Clinton helped shepherd to independence after Yugoslavia's collapse, will boost efforts to strengthen the central government and launch political and economic reforms.
News source: EurActiv link: article
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