Ethnic divisions stall Bosnia reforms

The international envoy to Bosnia says divisions among the country's Muslim, Serb, and Croat ethnic groups continue to stall reforms in the Balkan country. Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko told the United Nations Security Council on November 11 that his office as international high representative to Bosnia-Herzegovina cannot be closed until more progress is made. Ethnic divisions stall Bosnia reforms Inzko said that 15 years after the signing of the 1995 Dayton accords that ended the war in Bosnia, "nationalist agendas inside the country have continued to prevail over cooperation and compromise," and this has led to delays in implementing reforms that could smooth Bosnia's path toward potential European Union and NATO membership. Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, is quoted as saying the international envoy's office is risking "becoming counterproductive" to developments in Bosnia. Moscow has been an historic ally of Serbs.

Ethnic divisions stall Bosnia reforms

Inzko said that 15 years after the signing of the 1995 Dayton accords that ended the war in Bosnia, "nationalist agendas inside the country have continued to prevail over cooperation and compromise," and this has led to delays in implementing reforms that could smooth Bosnia's path toward potential European Union and NATO membership.

Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, is quoted as saying the international envoy's office is risking "becoming counterproductive" to developments in Bosnia.

Moscow has been an historic ally of Serbs.