It has been nearly 25 years since the agreement which brought peace to Bosnia was signed, but it is now the time for the country to “move forward and become a functional state,” US Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Reeker, told Radio Free Europe on Thursday.

“Those who were elected to rule should bring functionality to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Reeker said.

“That is the obligation of leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, all of them. This is what the US supports and we want to work with our European partners toward promoting that idea,” he stressed.

He also said that Washington was “disappointed” with the EU’s recent failure to begin EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, adding that some EU leaders have a view of the Western Balkans “similar to those in the 19th century.”