Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

March 28, 2002

The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that on March 27 the main political parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina reached an agreement to amend the constitutions of the two entities (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska), in order to ensure the three main ethnic groups in the country to be treated equal, as it will lead to democratization and progress in the reform of the country.
The Government of Japan pays deep respect to Mr. Wolfgang Petritsch, the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina for his continuous tenacious efforts to draw up the agreement, and also applauds the decision of the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Japan hopes that the amendment of the constitutions of the two entities will be carried out without delay, in accordance with the agreement, and calls on the political leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina who have not participated in the agreement to cooperate for the amendment of the constitutions, based on the agreement.
Japan will continue to contribute to the peace implementation in the country and cooperate for the stability and prosperity of Southeastern Europe, in concert with the international community, based upon the recognition that the stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina are indispensable for the region as a whole to be stable and prosperous.

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