Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizhov Holds Talks in Sarajevo

Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

On April 14 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Vladimir Chizhov visited Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as part of his working trip to the Balkans.

In the course of his meeting with Chairman of the BiH Presidency Borislav Paravac the state of bilateral relations was discussed and steps were outlined for their further development. Paravac confirmed his participation in the 60th anniversary of Victory commemorations in Moscow.

At the talks with BiH Deputy Prime Minister Barisa Colak the main attention was devoted to the realization of the accords reached in the course of BiH Prime Minister Adnan Terzic's visit to Moscow in September 2004. It was stated that the principal tasks for the period ahead are the launching of the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the strengthening of the juridical foundation of engagement between the two countries.

The outcome of the consultations with BIH Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic attests to the similarity or identity of the sides' positions on the main problems of the Balkan region. Regarding the situation in Kosovo the importance of strictly abiding by the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the inadmissibility of the province becoming a hotbed of instability in Southeastern Europe were stressed. Ivanic briefed on the steps being taken by the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina towards Euro-integration. The Russian side confirmed the invitation to the BiH Foreign Minister to pay a working visit to Moscow this summer.

Chizhov and Ivanic approved a plan of inter-MFA consultations for 2005, noting that the existing mechanism for the exchange of views between the foreign affairs agencies of Russia and BiH is an important component of the increasingly dynamic bilateral Russian-Bosnian Herzegovinian relations.

During his stay in Sarajevo Chizhov held a serious of meetings with the heads of the international presences in BiH: High Representative Paddy Ashdown, EU Force Commander General David Leakey, Head of the Police Mission Kevin Carty, and Head of the OSCE Mission Douglas Davidson. Topical issues in the implementation of the Peace Agreement, the progress in Bosnian settlement and the situation in the country as a whole were examined. It was noted that, in spite of the considerable successes in this sector, a great deal has yet to be done to ensure an enduring stabilization and the transfer of responsibility for the destiny of the country to the Bosnians themselves. Further steps for shaping a climate of trust and constructive cooperation of political forces are necessary in this context. There were discussed the course of the reforms in BiH, including those in the police and military fields, and the efforts by the international community to construct mechanisms for the rule of law. There were emphasized on the Russian side the importance of work with local authorities in the spirit of partnership, and the counterproductiveness of attempts to impose ready-made recipes. Russia as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement is ready to continue vigorously assisting the process of the peace implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For their part, the Bosnian leaders and the heads of the international structures in BiH gave a high assessment to the constructive role of Russia in Bosnian settlement and in the cause of stabilizing the situation in the Balkans as a whole.

April 15, 2005