Ray Burke
Question:110 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his and the EU's assessment of the Bosnian elections; and the plans, if any, the EU has for future peace and economic progress in the area. [16702/96]
Vol. 469 No. 1
110 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his and the EU's assessment of the Bosnian elections; and the plans, if any, the EU has for future peace and economic progress in the area. [16702/96]
The recent elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were a crucial step in the peace process. The Irish Presidency, on behalf of the EU, welcomed the holding of these elections and the fact that they had taken place in a dignified and largely trouble-free manner, and paid tribute to the crucial contribution which was made to the effectiveness of the electoral process by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe — OSCE — the High Representative, Carl Bildt, the international Implementation Force — IFOR — and the UN International Police Task Force — IPTF. These elections pave the way for the full implementation of all provisions of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina which ensures the continued existence of that State within its internationally recognised borders, and in particular for the establishment of the common institutions of the State.