Background documents

Ten days have passed since our press conference in which we set out what was at stake for Republika Srpska and BiH by refusing to agree to police restructuring in line with the EC principles.

The Government of the RS faces a moment of decision on police reform. This is an important issue, not just because the police needs reforming to fight crime better, but also because this issue will unlock the door to a European future for the RS and BiH as a whole.

The purpose of this press conference is to deliver to the SDS led Government of the RS a simple stark and united message from Washington , from Brussels , and from the international community. And the message is simple. Think again – before it is too late.

Following the decision of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska not to accept the measures for the police reform, BiH will be, together with Belarus , the only European country which does not have contractual relations with the European Union, warned High Representative Paddy Ashdown at the beginning of the interview for "Dnevni avaz".

Last night, the RSNA was given the keys to the gates toEurope, but threw them away. The consequences of this decision are clear. This means that BiH has missed the chance of starting SAA negotiations - the 1st step towards joining the European Union - by the 10th Anniversary of Dayton.

I have been informed that the institutional negotiations on police reform will resume next Monday. I believe that we are now arriving at the crucial moment of these negotiations.

Matthew Rycroft, British Ambassador and EU Presidency in Sarajevo, reiterated that negotiations on police reform need to conclude before Bosnia and Herzegovina can begin negotiations with the EU for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy discussed recent developments on the police reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown.

The European Commission has been informed that the institutional negotiations on police reform have been suspended until next Monday. The RS representatives have expressed their wish to renegotiate the principles on which a comprehensive political agreement should be based.