On Friday, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell held phone calls with political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In separate conversations, he spoke to SDA leader Bakir Izetbegović, HDZ BiH leader Dragan Čović and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. He called on all leaders to resume a serious and meaningful dialogue to ensure a long-term, sustainable resolution of the current political crisis in the country. He also urged the leaders of the Federation to remain committed to the talks on the constitutional and electoral reform and work towards an early agreement.

HRVP Borrell reiterated EU’s readiness, together with the US, to continue engaging in facilitating a balanced agreement, which addresses the concerns of all the parties and which would be in line with EU standards and would allow the country to advance on its EU path. He urged the relevant parties to show political courage and determination for an agreement to be found in time to be implemented for the general elections next October.

The High Representative recalled the EU’s unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the readiness to use all the instruments in its toolbox available to help the country overcome the current political crisis and refocus fully on the reforms needed in line with the country’s EU perspective.

The HR/VP informed that on 21 February the Foreign Affairs Council would discuss in depth all the aspects of the situation in BiH.