The unilateral decision by Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Council of Ministers, Elmedin Konaković, to sign a lobbying contract with a U.S. firm has been denounced as an unconstitutional and unlawful act in an open letter by Serb ambassadors and consuls general of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The letter condemns the bypassing of constitutionally mandated procedures and expresses grave concern over the legal and diplomatic implications of Konaković’s actions.
The letter reads:
“We, the ambassadors and consuls general of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Serb people, feel both a moral and institutional obligation to speak out clearly and resolutely regarding the recent activities of Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković, which we view as a serious violation of the legal order and constitutional framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Without the knowledge or consent of the Presidency of BiH—which, under the Constitution, is the only body authorized to conduct foreign policy, lead negotiations, and conclude or terminate international treaties (subject to ratification by the Parliamentary Assembly)—Minister Konaković independently signed a lobbying agreement with a firm in the United States, presenting it as an act on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole.
This behavior constitutes a blatant violation of the Constitution of BiH, an usurpation of the Presidency’s constitutional authority, and a severe blow to the principles of legality, institutional integrity, and the international credibility of BiH.
The act is not only unlawful and unconstitutional, but it directly circumvents the procedures established by the Constitution.
By signing an international contract without authorization from the Presidency, Minister Konaković has violated the constitutional order and the norms governing the legal representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Furthermore, such irresponsible and unilateral conduct exposes the individuals with whom the contract was signed—including U.S. citizens of BiH origin—to serious legal consequences. A contract lacking legal foundation within the minister’s authority may be considered null and void.
It should also be emphasized that the contract fails to clearly and transparently specify the origin of the funds intended for lobbying, placing the signatories in a potentially complicit position in corrupt activities and unlawful representation of state interests, with possible consequences under both domestic and international law.
As Serb ambassadors and consuls general of BiH, we refuse to be associated with such actions and are ashamed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Council of Ministers is led by an individual who acts unilaterally and without institutional coordination when representing Bosnia and Herzegovina on the international stage.
We reject any practice that disregards legal procedures for the sake of political or personal goals, and we will not accept being perceived by our diplomatic peers as part of a ministry led by a minister willing to sidestep the Constitution and the law.
We hereby call upon competent institutions to investigate the legality and constitutionality of the said contract and to determine the responsibility of the individuals involved.”
Signed by Serb ambassadors and consuls general of BiH (in alphabetical order):
Aleksandar Bogdanić, Aleksandar Vranješ, Aleksandra Mičić, Biljana Gutić Bjelica, Bojan Vujić, Bojan Đokić, Bojana Kondić Panić, Boro Bronza, Vera Sajić, Dragan Vuković, Dragan Jaćimović, Duško Kovačević, Željko Samardžija, Koviljka Špirić, Milorad Živković, Obrad Kesić, Siniša Bencun, Siniša Berjan, and Tatjana Telić.
Source: RTRS
