High Representative welcomes the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between BiH and FRY

The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, welcomes today's establishment of diplomatic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This has been long due, and constitutes an important step in the normalisation of relations between the countries, as well as in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.

The High Representative hopes that the establishment of diplomatic relations will now be followed by the opening of official diplomatic channels between the two countries in order to facilitate co-operation on a day-to-day basis. There are many issues to be tackled bilaterally, such as refugee return, regional co-operation - in particular in the framework of the Stability Pact -, trade, human trafficking and illegal immigration, the prosecution of indicted war criminals and cross-border travel.

The High Representative is confident that the establishment of diplomatic relations will contribute to peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region.