(SARAJEVO) - Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany pledged support Thursday to Bosnia in its bid to move closer to the European Union, but warned it faced a difficult task in reaching the goal.

"It is not easy to fulfill all the tasks that are ahead of Bosnia-Hercegovina" on its way to European integration, Gyurcsany told reporters during a visit to the Bosnian capital.

Gyurcsany, whose country joined the European Union in 2004, stressed "Hungary had a much better starting point (than Bosnia) but it still has to work hard."

More than 12 years following its devastating 1992-1995 war, Bosnia's political situation remains burdened with ethnic divisions among its Croats, Muslims and Serbs.

Disagreements between ruling parties representing the three ethnic communities have often blocked or slowed down progress in state building process.

The Hungarian premier also emphasised the importance of inclusion of the whole of the former Yugoslavia, including Bosnia, into the European Union.

"When Hungary expresses its support to Bosnia it is not just a unilateral move, but it is a strategically important matter for the entire region," he said after meeting his Bosnian counterpart Nikola Spiric.

Spiric said the two countries "expressed determination to cooperate closely in order to help Bosnia move faster toward EU."

Bosnia is to sign a trade-and-aid agreement with the EU on June 16, as the last country in the region to establish a contractual relationship with the 27-nation bloc.

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement is seen as a stepping stone towards eventual EU membership.

Bosnia is likely to face hurdles in implementing reforms to areas including its police force, which ethnic leaders eventually agreed on under pressure from the international community.

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