High Representative Christian Schmidt hosted Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on Wednesday in Sarajevo. The meeting focused on current political developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina with an emphasis on BiH’s progress towards the Euro-Atlantic integration after the EU granted candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina in December last year.

“Granting the candidate status to BiH was more proof of the EU’s commitment towards BiH and I expect domestic stakeholders to rise to the challenge and use the opportunity they have been given to accelerate BiH’s progress on this path for the good of the citizens of BiH. Persistence, dedication, and intense effort are the necessary ingredients to make this journey a success story, and that is what the international community expects from BiH’s political leadership. The international community, at the same time, will remain vigilant in tackling challenges that pose a threat to the peace and stability of the country and reforms achieved thus far. This includes the adoption of an acceptable and sustainable solution for the state property issue.” said the High Representative.”

The High Representative used the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation of Hungary’s continued support of BiH and to the work of OHR and the HR’s mandate in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.