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<p>The challenges that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) faces are regularly discussed
in the EU working group on the western Balkans. However these discussions have not
focussed on constitutional change. The UK fully supports BiH's aspiration to join
the EU but they must meet the conditions. We continue to call on BiH's leaders to
make the necessary decisions to progress on the EU accession path, namely through
aligning their Constitution with the European Court of Human Rights' judgement in
the Sejdic-Finci case. The onus is on BiH's leaders to work collectively to resolve
the issue. <br><br>Until real progress is made, the international community must remain
closely engaged in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK fully supports the Office of the
High Representative (OHR) and the European Union Force (EUFOR) Operation Althea and
their work to ensure implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Closure of the
OHR will occur once the BiH authorities have met the agreed five objectives and fulfilled
the agreed two conditions. Disagreement among the main political parties has prevented
the agenda's full implementation. The UK is committed to EUFOR's maintenance of a
safe and secure environment in BiH, and is proud of its own contributions, including
through a reserve company, 1 Scots. Recent protests have demonstrated the fragility
of the security situation in BiH. Therefore, it is vital that EUFOR continues to be
able to fulfil its role in country. The UK will continue to support EUFOR's presence
in BiH until conditions on the ground change sufficiently to merit its withdrawal.</p>
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