The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina/EU Special Representative welcomes the results of the negotiations in Zagreb (June 12th) between the negotiating teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia. The initialling of two key border agreements on Border Crossing Points and Local Border Traffic is an important step forward.

Equally the speedy adoption of the two Agreements in the Council of Ministers session yesterday was another important step towards finalising outstanding border management issues between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A Decision would allow the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign the two agreements and the Joint Statement/Interpretative Note on transit to and from Port of Ploce and through the territory of BiH at Neum at the next Ministerial-level trilateral meeting between BiH, Croatia and European Commission. This is foreseen for June 19th in Brussels.

The signature and immediate entry into force of the aforementioned agreements would also allow for the special Ploce transit arrangement, which would enable the exports of non-EU compliant goods of animal origin from BiH to third countries through the Port of Ploce.