Republika Srpska resolutely supports the Dayton Agreement, respects and upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH, and does not pursue a secessionist policy, according to the first section of the 32nd report submitted by the Government of Republika Srpska to the UN Security Council.
The document emphasizes that, contrary to certain misinformation, Republika Srpska has no plan to separate from BiH, either de facto or de jure.
- In its semi-annual reports to the UN Security Council, Republika Srpska consistently expresses support for the Dayton Agreement. Recently, President Milorad Dodik reiterated that Republika Srpska “has never disputed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH in line with the Dayton Agreement” and that “secession has never been our policy,” the report states.
The document notes that the All-Serb Assembly, a gathering of Serb representatives worldwide, with support from Republika Srpska, adopted a Declaration on June 8 that unconditionally reaffirms the National Assembly’s support for the Dayton Agreement and the constitutional framework established by it in BiH.
The Declaration, it adds, recognizes and supports the legal framework established by the Dayton Peace Agreement.
- The Declaration notes that “Republika Srpska is satisfied with the high level of autonomy defined by the Dayton Peace Agreement, therefore we insist on the substantial and formal implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement as an international treaty that cannot be unilaterally changed or altered through interventionism.” Additionally, the Declaration “condemns any disrespect or violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and democratic procedures in BiH,” the report states.
The document, submitted by Prime Minister Radovan Višković to the UN Secretary-General and member states of the Security Council, stresses that nothing in the Declaration suggests that Republika Srpska should separate from BiH or in any way question the Dayton Agreement or the sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH.
The report highlights that expressions of support for Serb unity in the Declaration refer to the global Serb community, whether in Europe, North America, Australia, or elsewhere, and do not imply any plan to unite all Serbs into a single state.
Respect for the Dayton Agreement, the report notes, also means that Republika Srpska is firmly committed to resolving disputes solely by peaceful means.
- Republika Srpska consistently rejects any use of violence to achieve its political goals. Republika Srpska also supports and cooperates with the EU’s “Althea” mission in its role to preserve and prevent the disruption of peace in BiH, the report states.
The document adds that respect for the Dayton Agreement means that Republika Srpska, as a party to all annexes that form the essence of the agreement, insists on its implementation as written, including BiH’s constitutional structure, which consists of two entities with a high degree of autonomy, and constitutional mechanisms to protect BiH’s three constituent peoples.
- The convincing victory of the ruling coalition parties in Republika Srpska in the October local elections demonstrates that the Government of Republika Srpska continues to enjoy strong public support for defending the Dayton order. The largest party in the ruling coalition, SNSD, received more votes than any other party in BiH, secured a majority in most municipalities, and elected 80 percent of the mayors in Republika Srpska. Furthermore, half of the female mayors elected across BiH come from SNSD, the report highlights.
The Government notes that public support for respecting the autonomy of entities guaranteed by the Dayton Agreement in no way reflects hostility toward any other group in BiH.
The report recalls that this month, Republika Srpska demonstrated solidarity with the other entity of BiH, the Federation of BiH (FBiH), following catastrophic floods.
- Republika Srpska immediately declared a day of mourning, allocated aid from emergency funds, and dispatched civil protection teams to the affected areas in FBiH. Republika Srpska is proud that many of its citizens also voluntarily participated in providing assistance, the first section of the report concludes.
Source: RTRS
