Solana urges Bosnia to 'join fold'

Europe is increasingly present in Bosnia's affairs

By Nick Hawton In Sarajevo

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, has issued a stark warning to Bosnia ahead of next month's general election.

The elections on 5 October are the key to... keep on moving in the direction of Europe

Javier Solana

Mr Solana, who is visiting the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo on Thursday, said the country had a clear choice between moving closer to Europe or stagnating and falling further behind its neighbours.

Mr Solana's comments come at a time when nationalist parties appear to be making some headway in opinion polls.

Javier Solana said it was up to the citizens of Bosnia-Hercegovina to choose their new leaders, but he wanted them to do two things.

• Make sure they used their vote on 5 October

• Make sure they voted for parties which embraced reform, bringing Bosnia closer to the European fold - a choice between progress and stagnation, as he put it.

For the first time since the end of the Bosnian war in 1995, politicians will be elected for a term of four years rather than two.

There will be elections at all levels, presidential, parliamentary and local.

There is a lot at stake.

The international community in Bosnia does not want to see nationalist parties gaining support after years of trying to marginalise them.

Moderation

Javier Solana's trip to Bosnia also highlights the increasing role Europe is playing in the country's affairs.

At the end of this year, an EU police mission will take over the training and monitoring of the country's law enforcement agencies which, until now, has been the responsibility of the United Nations.

The change has been welcomed by the chief international envoy to Bosnia, Paddy Ashdown, who is also the EU's first special representative to the country.

The message from the international community is clear; if Bosnia wants to eventually become a member of the European Union, then moderate reform-orientated parties need to win.

But at this stage, it is far from clear that those are the parties the electorate is going to vote for.