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Bosnia begins long journey to EU Bosnia begins long journey to EU
(about 15 hours later)
The European Union has said Bosnia will initial a pre-membership agreement, starting a process that could lead to the country joining the EU. The European Union and Bosnia have initialled a pre-membership agreement, starting a process that could lead to the country joining the EU.
The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, said he was satisfied Bosnia's leaders had shown their commitment to implement key constitutional reforms. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that, in terms of European integration, Bosnia should and would become master of its own destiny.
But he stressed that the signing of the agreement would depend on further reforms and all sides working together. The Bosnian Prime Minister, Nikola Spiric, spoke of an historic opportunity which should not be missed.
Bosnia is divided along ethnic lines, among Muslims, Serbs and Croats. The ceremony in Sarajevo went ahead after a deal on Bosnian police reform.
"I have decided to initial the Stabilisation and Association agreement with Bosnia and Hercegovina tomorrow," Mr Rehn announced after talks with Bosnia's leaders on Monday. Separate forces
"I am very pleased that I did not come in vain since leaders of the country have convinced me of their commitment to finish the job concerning police reform." The change, which involves merging Bosnia's ethnically divided police forces, was set as a condition by the EU before the long membership process could begin.
But Mr Rehn did not say when the agreement would be formally signed and added this would depend on all sides working together. Bosnia's two separate parts, the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Serb Republika Srpska, have their own police forces as well as governments and parliaments.
EU troops in Bosnia took over from Nato in 2004The EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, was due to attend the ceremony, but his plane was diverted to Croatia because of poor weather.
The highest international envoy to Bosnia, Miroslav Lajcak, said "the initialling may sound technical, but it's of great symbolic importance, after months of political paralysis".
The agreement will only be complete when Bosnia implements the plan to unite the two police forces but Bosnian leaders hope that a full signing can take place in mid-2008.
Last week, Serb, Muslim and Croat leaders averted a constitutional crisis after agreeing on new voting rules aimed at strengthening the central government in Bosnia-Hercegovina.Last week, Serb, Muslim and Croat leaders averted a constitutional crisis after agreeing on new voting rules aimed at strengthening the central government in Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Bosnia consists of two entities, the Muslim-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska, each with its own leadership. Bosnia's two entities were put in place after the devastating civil war of 1992-1995, which led to the greatest loss of civilian lives in Europe since World War II.
The structure was put in place after the devastating civil war of 1992 - 1995, which led to the greatest loss of civilian lives since the Second World War in Europe.