Political crisis in Bosnia resolved

Bosnia-Herzegovina's state Parliament adopted Friday in Sarajevo changes to the institutions standing orders. The move ended the deepest political crisis in the country since the end of the 1992-1995 war. Political crisis in Bosnia resolved The decision came less than a day before the deadline set on October 19 by the international community's High Representative to Bosnia, Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajcak. Nearly two months ago Lajcak proposed measures to streamline the decision-making processes in Bosnia's central government and parliament. In order to improve functionality of the two institutions, he imposed a number of measures to change the decision-making process of the central government, the Council of Ministers. He also called on political leaders in the country to adjust the work of the parliament themselves or he would impose changes to the parliament's work on December 1. Lajcak measures provoked sharp reactions among the Bosnian Serb politicians, who accused him of harming their national interests and violating the country's constitution. While the Bosnian Serb National Assembly passed a resolution requesting Lajcak to change his decision or to leave his post, Bosnia's Prime Minister Nikola Spiric resigned a month ago protesting against Lajcak's measures. Although the worst crisis since the end of the 1992-1995 war in the country developed following Lajcak's measures, the situation was resolved just a couple of hours before the deadline. Miroslav Lajcak commended the progress saying "a strong message was sent to Europe from Sarajevo today." "I am sure the response of the European Union will be very positive," the high representative told reporters in Sarajevo. The changes aimed at improving functionality of Bosnia- Herzegovina's central government and parliament are now expected to speed up reforms in the country necessary for further progress towards European integration. Yesterday, Lajcak met Republic of Srpska (RS) Premier Milorad Dodik met in Banja Luka. The crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina should end as soon as possible, in order to speed up the country's European integration, they agreed after the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the talks, Dodik said that Lajcak had assured him that Brussels was prepared to speed up activities on the resolution of joint issues, which would bring Bosnia closer to European integration. "All this requires us to resolve the current crises and problems linked to the functioning of the Council of Ministers and the standing orders of the Bosnian parliament," Dodik added, and said that he expected the controversial issues to be resolved "within the next few days". Lajcak stated that the continuation of the European path meant the resolution of all problems that Bosnia currently faces. "I have decided to inform all leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina about the talks conducted two days ago in Brussels, because I am pleased that EU representatives take Bosnia seriously and welcome the Mostar Declaration and the Sarajevo Agreements. "They represent a good step towards the initialing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement," the Slovak head of international administration in that country concluded. Lajcak and Dodik in Banja Luka yesterday (Tanjug)

Political crisis in Bosnia resolved

The decision came less than a day before the deadline set on October 19 by the international community's High Representative to Bosnia, Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčak.

Nearly two months ago Lajčak proposed measures to streamline the decision-making processes in Bosnia's central government and parliament.

In order to improve functionality of the two institutions, he imposed a number of measures to change the decision-making process of the central government, the Council of Ministers.

He also called on political leaders in the country to adjust the work of the parliament themselves or he would impose changes to the parliament's work on December 1.

Lajčak measures provoked sharp reactions among the Bosnian Serb politicians, who accused him of harming their national interests and violating the country's constitution.

While the Bosnian Serb National Assembly passed a resolution requesting Lajcak to change his decision or to leave his post, Bosnia's Prime Minister Nikola Špirić resigned a month ago protesting against Lajčak's measures.

Although the worst crisis since the end of the 1992-1995 war in the country developed following Lajčak's measures, the situation was resolved just a couple of hours before the deadline.

Miroslav Lajčak commended the progress saying "a strong message was sent to Europe from Sarajevo today."

"I am sure the response of the European Union will be very positive," the high representative told reporters in Sarajevo.

The changes aimed at improving functionality of Bosnia- Herzegovina's central government and parliament are now expected to speed up reforms in the country necessary for further progress towards European integration.

Yesterday, Lajčak met Republic of Srpska (RS) Premier Milorad Dodik met in Banja Luka.

The crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina should end as soon as possible, in order to speed up the country's European integration, they agreed after the meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Dodik said that Lajčak had assured him that Brussels was prepared to speed up activities on the resolution of joint issues, which would bring Bosnia closer to European integration.

"All this requires us to resolve the current crises and problems linked to the functioning of the Council of Ministers and the standing orders of the Bosnian parliament," Dodik added, and said that he expected the controversial issues to be resolved "within the next few days".

Lajčak stated that the continuation of the European path meant the resolution of all problems that Bosnia currently faces.

"I have decided to inform all leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina about the talks conducted two days ago in Brussels, because I am pleased that EU representatives take Bosnia seriously and welcome the Mostar Declaration and the Sarajevo Agreements.

"They represent a good step towards the initialing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement," the Slovak head of international administration in that country concluded.