Bosnia and Herzegovina can quickly make up for lost time in reforms
29 December 2011 News
Statement by Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov on the formation of a government in Sarajevo:
I congratulate the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the agreement reached yesterday on forming a government. This marks the end of 14 months of deadlock in the process of strengthening the state level of government. Bosnia and Herzegovina had been facing a real danger of economic collapse and lags significantly behind in the European integration processes in the Western Balkans.
The newly-formed Council of Ministers faces the task of making up for lost time and immediately undertaking the reforms needed to accelerate integration into the EU and NATO. I am confident that this is possible and the country will receive Bulgaria's full support in its path to reforms.
A clear indication in this direction would be to agree on the 69 properties of the former Yugoslav People's Army - the sole condition for the inclusion of Bosnia and Herzegovina in NATO’s Membership Action Plan. Bulgaria continues to be a major advocate for this process and is ready, together with our neighbours in the region, to help Bosnia and Herzegovina to take full advantage of its membership in the NATO programme.
The formation of the Bosnian government is another item of good news for the Western Balkans after the decision to admit Croatia to the EU, the granting of candidate status to Montenegro and the prospect for Serbia to obtain candidate status through positive developments in its dialogue with Kosovo.
Bulgaria will continue to actively support the efforts of the Western Balkan countries in their European and Euro-Atlantic integration.