ANKARA - Turkey welcomed that the general elections of October 3, 2010 in Bosnia and Herzegovina were conducted in conformity with the international norms and in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday, "we congratulate the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the democratic maturity they have displayed during the elections."
"These elections mark a new era for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The expectation of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as of the international community in this new period is that Bosnia and Herzegovina rapidly and resolutely implement the necessary reforms in line with the European and Euro-Atlantic integration objective," it said.
The Ministry said, "we expect from all the victorious political leaders of the elections, irrespective of their ethnic affiliations, to unite around this objective and exert their utmost efforts in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to attain its deserved honorable place in the European family. In this regard, Bosnia and Herzegovina leaders bear a historical responsibility in the post-election period. This responsibility requires setting forth holistic and dynamic policies while striving to make best use of the richness emanating from the multiethnic and multicultural social structure of the country."
"In this context, we hope that the formation of the new government in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be concluded without delay. Turkey, in solidarity with all the ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in close cooperation with the international community, will continue to give every support for Bosnia and Herzegovina's success," the Ministry added.
More than 3.1 million registered voters went to the ballot boxes on October 3 to elect among 8,000 candidates for the central and several regional parliaments, the Bosnian Serb presidency and the federal presidency, which is shared among the three ethnicities of Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats. Turnout was over 56 percent.