UN Sees Significant Progress In Bosnia, Long Road Ahead

The UN's High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina has told the UN Security Council that while the country has made significant process, there is still a long road ahead to European Union and NATO membership.

Valentin Inzko outlined his biannual report to the council on May 15 and said there were many positive trends, lauding the country's February 10 elections, which took place after more than a year without a central government.

He said, however, that Bosnia-Herzegovina still has many challenges ahead.

He specifically highlighted the need for Bosnia-Herzegovina to implement the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the Sejdic-Finci case concerning the rights of Jews and Roma from standing for parliament.

Inzko said it was necessary to implement reforms that would allow minorities in the country to run for high office.

The head of the European Union delegation to the UN, Thomas Mayr Harting, seconded this call.