April 12, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1429

SARAJEVO: International officials on Friday hailed Bosnia’s adoption of long-disputed police reforms, saying it moved the country closer to joining the European Union.“I would like to congratulate all those who have worked hard to reach a compromise for the sake of a better future for Bosnia-Hercegovina and all its citizens,” the international envoy to Bosnia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a statement.

The reforms adopted by Bosnia’s lower house on Thursday were the last hurdle set by the EU for the country to sign a pact on closer ties.

“Better days are ahead of us and also a lot of work related to signing of the SAA,” Prime Minister Nikola Spiric said in a reference to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.

“We have to work more to make the country ready for foreign investments, EU pre-accession funds and visa liberalisation ... but we will start to experience how it feels to be a part of a united Europe,” Spiric said.

“The EU presidency is looking forward to the signing of the SAA with Bosnia as soon as possible,” the EU’s Slovenian presidency said in a statement.—AFP