EU Presidency Statement on the appointment of Miroslav Lajčák as Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic

EU Presidency Statement on the appointment of EUSR/HR Miroslav Lajčák as Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic.

Following his appointment as Foreign Minister of the Slovak Republic, the Presidency would like to thank Mr Miroslav Lajčák for his work as EU Special Representative and High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Presidency wishes to express its appreciation to Mr Lajčák for all that he has done to further the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Stabilization and Association Process.

The Presidency is confident that the Office of the EU Special Representative and the Office of the High Representative will be able to guarantee that full functions and responsibilities stay ensured until a successor to Mr Lajčák is appointed. The Presidency also calls on the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue fulfilling the conditions set for the closure of the Office of the High Representative, and for a reinforced role of the European Union and its Special Representative.

The Presidency wishes to take this opportunity to confirm the European perspective for Bosnia and Herzegovina as defined by the Thessaloniki Agenda, and reiterates the EU’s preparedness to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing its Stabilization and Association Agreement. The Presidency emphasizes the responsibility of the representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina to decide on the future direction of their country and on the pace of its progress towards the European Union.