News story

Foreign Secretary welcomes Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina

William Hague today met Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina to urge progress on reforms for EU membership.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Foreign Secretary William Hague with Dr. Zlatko Lagumdzija, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina in London, 17 April 2013.

Speaking after his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr Zlatko Lagumdzija, the Foreign Secretary said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Dr Lagumdzija to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office today and to reassure him of the UK’s continued commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina and its ambitions for EU and NATO membership. Bosnia’s future lies in Euro-Atlantic integration, and I urge the country’s leaders to work in earnest towards this.

“I deeply regret that a solution to the Sejdic Finci constitutional issue has not been found that would enable the country to move closer to the EU, despite the hard work of the international community and the EU’s Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We share the disappointment of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina at this missed opportunity.

“The onus is now on Bosnia’s political leaders to work together to find the necessary compromises in the country’s interest. I strongly encourage them to take the necessary steps before next year’s elections.”

Published 17 April 2013