Clinton, Austrian FM Stress Need for Reform in Bosnia

The two officials stressed that constitutional reform should be a top priority after the formation of governments in the country following the October 3 general elections there.

"They are forming a new government, and this is the right moment just to give them advice that we are expecting constitutional reforms in Bosnia-Herzegovina. And we agreed about that. There is also the time to give some pressure to them to do so," Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said in remarks following the meeting.

The EU and the US have been pushing Bosnia for years to reform its constitution to bring it into line with European standards and eliminate elements that are considered discriminatory.

Secretary Clinton also noted that the time is not yet right for the top international representative in the country to close his doors.

"We support the continuation of the Office of High Representative until there is such time when we believe that the government is willing to address the issues that are still unresolved amongst the various communities," Clinton explained.

The two officials stressed that Bosnia would stay on the agenda, underlining that Austria was co-sponsoring a conference in December on reconstruction and stabilization in the Balkans.

Clinton visited Sarajevo in October as part of a tour of the Balkans. She addressed both students and politicians during her stay in the country, urging Bosnians to reject nationalism and adopt necessary reforms.