The neighbours met to try and reach deals on borders, security, and other issues that have undermined relations since the wars of the 1990s.

“Our discussions are never sweet or simple; there are many problems we inherited,” said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. “Today we have the peace and stability and the strengthening of our trade relations,” he added.

One of the most pressing issues to resolve, he added, was to remove a major obstacle to investors by harmonising tax and customs fees with Bosnia. “This is the matter of life and survival for us,” he said.

EU member Croatia agreed to help Bosnia and Serbia in their plans to join the bloc, officials at the meeting said. The EU has launched a new strategy for the Western Balkans under which the aspirant countries must end all their bilateral territorial conflicts before they can join.

Officials said they would continue to try and solve border disputes through bilateral agreements.

“This was a chance to discuss major problems such as emigration of young people, reconciliation, the halt of inflammatory rhetoric, reforms, and security cooperation,” said Bakir Izetbegović, the Bosniak Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who hosted the meeting.