OREANDA-NEWS. November 09, 2009. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov paid a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he held talks with the Presidium of BiH, Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikola Spiric and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Alkalaj.

The main attention was paid to discussing topical issues in bilateral relations, including political dialogue, and the principal lines of economic and trade cooperation. Mutual interest in reinforcing the legal framework for relations between the two countries was stated and agreement to expedite work on draft basic agreements in the economic cluster was reached. The sides also expressed willingness to work vigorously towards settlement of mutual financial obligations.

Questions of collaboration within the UN Security Council were discussed in the light of BiH’s election as its nonpermanent member for 2010-2011. There was discussion on European affairs, particularly in the context of implementing the Russian initiative for a European Security Treaty. A Plan of Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Russia and BiH was endorsed.

In discussing matters relating to the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH, the Russian side underlined the urgency to set a concrete timeframe for the long-planned transformation by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, of the Office of the High Representative into a Mission of the EU Special Representative as per the agreed terms, without added requirements.

During his stay in Sarajevo, Lavrov also conversed with Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister of Republika Srpska. They examined the dynamics of the realization of large-scale joint investment projects and identified the major challenges for the future. An exchange of views took place on key aspects of the Bosnian settlement.

In a separate meeting between Sergey Lavrov and High Representative in BiH Valentin Inzko, the Russian side particularly emphasized that the use of the HR’s emergency (Bonn) powers for dubious reasons is unacceptable and can only serve to undermine stability in the country.