Bosnia and Herzegovina can emerge from its present political difficulties if the International Community remains engaged in the country, maintaining a constructive and proactive partnership with BiH citizens, High Representative Valentin Inzko will tell European Ministers this week.

The High Representative will meet Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn in Luxembourg tomorrow (31 January 2012), the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthall in the Hague on Wednesday (1 February) and the UK Minister for Europe David Lidington on Thursday (2 February).

These meetings will focus on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The High Representative will say that the recent agreement among political leaders and the appointment of Vjekoslav Bevanda as Prime Minister designate offers hope that 16 months after the general elections a Council of Ministers can be formed and the focus of energy can return to reviving the BiH economy and getting the country back on the road to Europe.

During these meetings, Inzko will underline the need for a fundamental change to the negative politics present in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the last five years.

The International Community can actively support this change if all international bodies and the EU are united and speak with one voice.

High Representative Inzko will also mention the recent referendum in Croatia.

The overwhelming support among Croatian citizens for EU membership illustrates the positive role the European Union can play in the Western Balkans.

Lastly, given the problems which BiH still faces, he will highlight the vital role which the Office of the High Representative plays in ensuring that the Dayton Peace Agreement is respected.