There is absolute unity of our goals, because the US and the EU want to see Bosnia in NATO and the Union as soon as possible, Clinton told reporters after she and Ashton met with the three members of the Bosnian Presidency.

Clinton said the US fully supported Bosnia as an integral, peaceful and stable state, recalling that her country had been helping Bosnia achieve stability for years.

That's why it is unacceptable that 17 years after the war Bosnia's sovereignty and territorial integrity are being brought into question. The Dayton agreement must be honoured, she added.

Clinton said there was evidently a frustrating political crisis in Bosnia that could be solved only through compromise between the political leaders, adding that such compromise was absolutely necessary.

Ashton confirmed the US and the EU were completely united with regard to Bosnia, which they see as a single, prosperous and stable country. There is no doubt among the EU's 27 member countries that Bosnia's future is in the Union, she added.

That's why domestic political leaders are asked to act because they have the responsibility to lead the country on that road, and the first step is constitutional changes so that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement can go into force, after which it is possible to think about applying for EU membership, Ashton said and added: We want Bosnia to succeed and we know that it can.

Presidency Chair Bakir Izetbegovic said he asked Clinton and Ashton to ensure a continued international presence and aid to his country.

"The Dayton agreement hasn't been implemented completely and we need a strong presence of the US," he said, adding that the Office of the High Representative, the peacekeeping European Union Force and the NATO headquarters in Bosnia should not end their mandates "prematurely and rashly."

Izetbegovic said Clinton announced that she would push for NATO to urgently approve a Membership Action Plan for Bosnia, provided the necessary assets were allocated to its armed forces as soon as possible.

Earlier today, Clinton and Ashton met with the international community's High Representative in Bosnia, Valentin Inzko, and the EU's Special Representative, Peter Sorensen.

Although it had not been announced, they also met with Council of Ministers Chair Vjekoslav Bevanda. His office said in a statement he briefed Clinton and Ashton about the political and economic situation in the country, expressing an interest in the continuation of US support in building a democratic Bosnia that was integrated into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Clinton and Ashton supported Bevanda in his efforts to stabilise the situation in the country, but also warned about the need for political leaders in the country to make additional efforts so that commitments can be met, said the statement.

Clinton and Ashton left Sarajevo for Belgrade, arriving shortly before 4 pm for talks with Serbian officials. After that, they are scheduled to visit Kosovo. Clinton is due to visit Croatia on Wednesday.