Members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH with the President of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Italy

 
Members of the Collegium of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina met today with the President of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Italy, Gianfranco Fini.

During the conversation, Mr. Fini had the opportunity to get acquainted with the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with special emphasis on the implementation of the ruling in the Sejdić-Finci case, the remaining condition for obtaining candidate status for membership of the European Union. He also expressed his commitment that Italy, as a neighbour, will help Bosnia and Herzegovina's Euro-Atlantic integration but in the manner of a friend who doesn't dictate requirements but rather listens to needs.

In terms of economic relations and trade between the two friendly countries, the need was expressed for Italy to complete the ratification of agreements on economic co-operation as well as the avoidance of double taxation. President Fini stressed the possibility that the Italian economy, which is largely based on flexible small and medium- sized enterprises, may have great interest in having a presence in the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointing out that it clearly has enormous potential.

Today the idea was also adopted that, after the Parliamentary Assembly has formed the Group of Friendship with Italy, contacts between the two parliaments and their working bodies should be intensified and that training programmes should be developed and assistance sought for those parliamentary bodies dealing with legislation. (end)