UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband visited Bosnia and Herzegovina on 5-6 November 2009.

During his visit, Mr. Miliband met members of the collective Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljko Komsic, Haris Silajdzic and Nebojsa Radmanovic.

Mr Miliband also met the Prime Ministers of two entities: Milorad Dodik, PM of Republika Srpska, and Mustafa Mujezinovic, PM of Federation of BiH, as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Sven Alkalaj and High Representative/EU Special Representative to BiH Valentin Inzko.

He attended a dinner with young BiH professionals and paid a visit to the offices of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).

During his visit Mr. Miliband called on political leaders to grasp the opportunity offered by the Butmir process to address reforms and move BiH forward on the EU and NATO membership. He welcomed BiH forthcoming membership of the United Nations Security Council and emphasized the UK’s desire to work in close partnership with BiH on Security Council issues.

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In a Bosnian news article, Mr Miliband said:  

'I urge BiH’s political leaders to seize the opportunity offered by the Butmir process and to engage constructively so that BiH enters 2010 from a strong platform, moving forward with its neighbours on the EU and NATO tracks and well placed to make a success of its forthcoming membership of the UN Security Council.'

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At a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Mr Miliband emphasised: 'The Butmir process is a very important opportunity for your country. It is not a forum for foreigners to dictate to your leaders, it is a forum for your leaders to make decisions about your country. I very much hope that all leaders will continue to engage positively with the Butmir process, because I think this is a very important chance for Bosnia and Herzegovina to make forward progress.'