The Council of the EU ministers of Foreign affairs held a meeting yesterday in Luxembourg. They adopted the following conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Council welcomed the increased turnout and the orderly conduct of the 3 October elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, according to the preliminary assessment of the OSCE/ODIHR and their International Election Observation Mission, were generally in line with international standards.
- The EU reiterated its unequivocal commitment to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also reaffirmed its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a sovereign and united country.
- Fifteen years after the signature of the Dayton-Paris Peace Agreements, Bosnia and Herzegovina's citizens deserve a qualitative step forward of their country on the path towards European integration.
- The political leaders need now to engage constructively in a political dialogue and form new governments that will have the EU agenda at the heart of their programme.
- The political leaders have the prime responsibility to achieve concrete and tangible progress, including on the road towards EU integration, in a spirit of compromise and collective constructive action, while refraining from divisive rhetoric and actions that would harm the interests of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina has already shown that it is able to deliver on commitments when the political will is there. The EU stands ready to offer its support for the urgently needed reforms, including through its future reinforced presence. Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot afford to lose more time.
- Reiterating its support to the objective of visa liberalisation on the basis of fulfilment of all benchmarks and recalling the European Parliament's vote on this issue on 7 October, the Council underlined its intention to take a decision on 8 November.
- Recalling its Conclusions of 25 January on Operation ALTHEA, the Council confirmed the EU's commitment to a continuing executive military role to support Bosnia and Herzegovina's efforts to maintain the safe and secure environment, under a renewed UN mandate; and, building on Althea's achievements, to the continuing provision of non-executive capacitybuilding and training support in order to contribute to strengthening local ownership and capacity. The Council agreed to keep the operation under regular review, including on the basis of the situation on the ground."
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