Adnan Terzic

Prime Minister, Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Party of Democratic Action Website; Various Internet Sources)

Adnan Terzic became prime minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on 23 December 2002, following general elections in early October. He replaced Dragan Mikerevic in the post and became the first head of the BiH central government to be appointed to a four-year term.

Terzic was born in 1960 in Zagreb. He graduated from the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Civil Engineering and has done post-graduate studies at the university's Faculty of Political Science.

Terzic joined the Muslim Party of Democratic Action in 1991, eventually becoming the party's vice chairman. He has served twice as governor of the Central Bosnia canton – from 1997 to November 1998 and from 2000 to 2001.

As the BiH Parliament confirmed his appointment to head the government composed of an equal number of Muslims, Serbs and Croats, Terzic promised reforms, emphasising full democratisation of society, strengthening the rule of law, developing the market economy and promoting social justice as key priorities.

"Our aim is that BiH step forward into European integration and implement economic and political reforms," Terzic said in his address to the parliament's House of Representatives on 23 December 2002.