The situation in the region is the best in 20 years, European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko said in Belgrade on Tuesday.

The future of the entire region is in the European Union, he said.

After meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Inzko pointed to the importance of regional cooperation and reconciliation.

The future will be easier if nations forgive each other, he told the press.

The future of the entire region is the same, and once it becomes a part of the EU, the location of the borders will be irrelevant, Inzko said.

Bosnia-Herzegovina's sovereignty and the Dayton Accord cannot be questioned, and Republika Srpska (RS) is a legitimate entity with a strong autonomy within the internationally recognized BIH, he said.

Serbian President Boris Tadic spoke Tuesday told Inzko that he strongly advocates the launch of a new phase of neighborly relations of Serbia and BiH, Tadic's press service reported.

Tadic once again emphasized that Serbia supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH, and the regulation of internal matters under the Dayton Peace Accords.

Tadic underlined that constitutional changes in BiH can occur only if democratically chosen and legitimate representatives of three constituent nations - Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats agree, it was stated.

Inzko: RS legitimate entity of BIH

High Representative of the international community in Bosnia-Herzegovina Valentin Inzko has stated that the Republika Srpska (RS) is a legitimate entity within the internationally recognized Bosnia-Herzegovina (BIH) and that he expects a greater degree of cooperation between Serbia and BIH.

I believe that the presence of a number of ambassadors at the inauguration of RS President Milorad Dodik is a sign of recognition of the Republika Srpska's legitimacy as an entity within the internationally recognized sovereign state of BIH, Inzko said in a statement published by Novosti on Tuesday.

Within that framework, the RS is a partner and I am confident that we can have positive and constructive cooperation with its officials, Inzko also said. According to him, talking about a third entity or division would not help anyone living there.

We must never forget that more than 100,000 people were killed and two million people were displaced during the last attempt to achieve that, said Inzko. BIH is internationally recognized sovereign state and it is certain that a division is not possible and that it will never be accepted, he said.

Inzko underscored that he applauds to the efforts of the Serbian President Boris Tadic and Croatian President Ivo Josipovic towards reconciliation in the region, underscoring that Serbia and Croatia had determined their direction towards the European Union and improved the political environment.

Patriarch Irinej receives Valentin Inzko in Patriarchate

Serbian Patriarch Irinej received Valentin Inzko in the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade on Tuesday, the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) released in a statement.

The reception was attended by members of the SPC Holy Synod, Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, Bishop Irinej of Backa, Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina and Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia, the statement reads.