Bosnia: Talks to Form New Gov't Blighted in Brcko

Talks between six political leaders in Bosnia’s two semi-autonomous entities – the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, FBiH, and the Republika Srpska, RS-took place in Brcko on Monday but did not result in the formation of a new Council of Ministers.

A spokesperson for the Office of High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina said that while some progress had been made during the talks, the most fundamental issue-the appointment of political leaders in the Council of Ministers- remained unresolved.

“It is disappointing that news of [an] agreement did not come out of [the] talks in Brcko. The six party leaders must now continue their efforts to reach an agreement in the interests of the citiziens and the country as a whole,” the OHR statement read.

“Those who were not willing to shift from their initial positions, a year after the elections, need to consider the consequences their obstinacy has on the ordinary citizens of this country," the statement added.

"The citizens gave their vote to parties that promised jobs and progress towards the EU. 
With huge numbers of citizens unemployed across the country and so many families struggling to survive, the very real consequences of the failure to form the Council of Ministers and to carry out reforms are clear to all.”