Croatian American Association

Home

News

CAA Documents

EU’s Solana says Kosovo talks can not affect Bosnia borders
25/11/2005

(Brussels, DTT-NET.COM)- Top officials of European Union said that current external borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) can not be affected, in whatever the outcome of the UN led talks on the future status of Kosovo would be.

EU’s chief of diplomacy Javier Solana said in a conference held in Brussels on the 10 anniversary of Dayton agreement of Bosnia and Herzegovina that borders of the Balkan country can not be changed, rejecting claims of Serbian radicals in Serbia and in BiH that in case the UN administrated province splits from Serbia and Montenegro union and becomes independent state than Serbian entity (Republika Srpska) should join Serbia.

“I think that the plan of negotiating ream is to have talks on the future of Kosovo without any changes of BiH borders. Today BiH is a stable country and I think that regardless of final solution of Kosovo, there should not be any border changes.” Solana said.

“According to me that would be a great mistake” he warned.

United Kingdom government (the country which holds the rotating presidency of the EU) has warned as well earlier in November that Kosovo status is a separate issue and should not be linked with Bosnia and Herzegovina future.

“We are aware of these reports; we hope however that they are incorrect. Such a call would undermine Serbia's claims to want to play a constructive role in the region. This, in turn, would be bound to have consequences for her Euro-Atlantic integration” a British government spokesperson has told DTT-NET.COM reacting to Serb media reporting that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and the President of Serb Republic in BiH Dragan Cavic have discussed lately the secession of the Serbs from Bosnia if Kosovo will become independent state.

“As we and the Contact Group have made clear on several occasions, the question of Kosovo's future status is a separate and distinct issue. “ the UK spokesperson added.

Serb politicians have said that if Kosovo becomes independent tensions could erupt in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Serbia and Montenegro Foreign Minister, Vuk Draskovic has provoked harsh reactions of EU when he said in June that Kosovo’s independence would radicalise Serbs in Bosnia who would demand to join Serbia.

Croatian American Association
National Treasurer
Daniella Sumera
6607 W. Archer
Chicago, IL 60638