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Sarajevo (Fena) – The High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt today, during an extraordinary meeting with the Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board, discussed the current events in Bosnia and Herzegovina and presented his observations.
EUFOR Commander Major General Laszlo Sticz also gave his assessment of the security situation in BiH. The High Representative paid special attention to the repeated secession announcements coming from the leadership of the Republika Srpska.
– Such announcements are sometimes dismissed as mere political rhetoric. I do not think so: we are witnessing the implementation of a political agenda that threatens the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina – said the High Representative after the meeting.
Officials of the Republika Srpska entity should, as he added, explain their criticism of the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
– Secession from the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an option in any case. European integration must not be questioned. But, we must also guarantee the rights of entities, which we are already doing. Everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina has the right to live in peace and without discrimination. These are the facts: there is no legal right to secession and entities are not states. Entities exist only because Bosnia and Herzegovina exists. Whoever questions this accepts conflict, and the international community will not allow it – added Schmidt.
He emphasized that they are closely monitoring what activities are being undertaken in the Republika Srpska that could lead to disruption of order in BiH.
– The citizens of this country have made steps towards reconciliation and coexistence that seemed unimaginable thirty years ago. Therefore, it is clear in which direction all communities in this country want to go – towards a prosperous future in the European Union. This is what the political elites must achieve – said the High Representative after the meeting. (9.7.)