Borjana Kristo, the Chairwoman of Bosnia's Council of Ministers, met on Thursday newly appointed commander of the European Union's military deployment, EUFOR Althea, major general Laszlo Sticz, informing him about the progress that the Bosnian authorities made on the EU path.

She said that the country made a significant progress and expects a positive response of Brussels i.e. the date of the opening of the accession talks with the European Union. Kristo noted that due to constitutional structure and in line with the competencies of all levels of authorities this process requires a compromise and full political consensus of all three constituent peoples.

The work of the Council of Ministers, she stressed, remains focused on the fulfilling of remaining conditions from the European Commission's Opinion on the country's membership application and the agreement of all crucial matters of this process.

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The officials expressed mutual contentment with the cooperation of local authorities at all levels and EUFOR, emphasising the importance of cooperation with local population.

Kristo thanked EUFOR for the continuous support it provides to the authorities in BiH in building the peace and stability, and the support to the Armed Forces of BiH as well as support to Bosnia and Herzegovina's European perspective.

She stressed that Bosnian institutions and EUFOR have a common goal, which is a stable, sustainable, peaceful and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina – the country of three equal constituent peoples and all others who live there, the country which cooperates with neighbours based on mutual dialogue and respect.