Managing Director for Russia, Eastern Neighbourhood and Western Balkans with the European External Action Service Miroslav Lajcak stated Friday in Brussels that during her Friday visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton managed to make significant progress as regards solving problems in this former Yugoslav republic.

Upon his return from BiH, Lajcak told journalists that the EU reached an agreement with Republika Srpska (RS) officials to resolve the conflict by a structural dialogue, and reverse the decision on referendum.

Lajcak specified that the start of the dialogue is scheduled for early June, but that the exact date is yet to be determined. The dialogue will be conducted by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele, he added.

There will be no referendum. Dodik has promised that he will propose a new resolution to the RS Parliament that will overrule the previous decision on referendum, Lajcak said.

It is important that, after reaching this agreement, there will be no deadlines, no pressures or referendum threats, Lajcak concluded.