The government formation in Bosnia is essential for the country's European integration process, Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said on Thursday.

The statement comes on the day when the deadline set by three political leaders, who one month ago signed an agreement on principles to form the state-level government, expired.

Hahn expects the deal which the leaders of three parties that won the October election signed on August 5 will be put into effect and that talks will resume.

“I expect them to stand up to their responsibility and continue the dialogue with the objective of nominating the Council of Ministers, without further delay, almost one year after elections took place,” he said, pointing out the necessity to follow up to the European Commission's Opinion on Bosnia's application for the EU membership.

“There is no credible alternative to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective. The current stalemate undermines the legitimate expectations of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a prosperous future in their own country,” he said.