US Embassy, OSCE welcome agreement on formation of Bosnia's government

Ambasada SAD u BiH

The US Embassy in Sarajevo welcomed on Tuesday the agreement between members of Bosnia's tripartite Presidency to support Zoran Tegeltija for the prime minister and for the government to finally be formed.

“We welcome the agreement reached by the members of the Presidency, which achieves the key objectives of government formation and continuing BiH’s partnership and cooperation with NATO. It will also unlock much-needed defense reforms,” the Embassy tweeted.

Bosnia's Presidency members have reached an agreement on the Council of Ministers Chairman-designate after more than a year since the general election.

The problem occurred after the current Chairman-designate said he would not prioritise Bosnia's NATO accession process or its cooperation with the Alliance, to which the Croat and Bosniak Presidency members, Zeljko Komsic and Sefik Dzaferovic, said he would not get their support unless NATO gets back on the agenda.

VEZANE VIJESTI

Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik then said he would not propose anyone else nor would he or his party, the strongest Bosnian Serb party – the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), change their position regarding NATO.

The deadlock lasted until Tuesday when the Bosniak and Croat members agreed to support Zoran Tegeltija, who also comes from the SNSD, and in return the Serb Presidency member supported the submission of the “document” to NATO, thus removing all the obstacles from further reforms in the country.

Later in the day the OSCE also voiced their support for this agreement, saying it is good for both the upcoming reforms in Bosnia and its citizens.

“We welcome today’s step forward in formation of BiH Council of Ministers. Important reforms for the benefit of all citizens are pending. No more time should be wasted,” the OSCE tweeted.