Former diplomat Vladislav Jovanović told RTRS that the call for dialogue by the president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, is a responsible statesmanlike move, made with full awareness of the importance of preserving the Dayton Agreement and urging all parties to take responsibility in order to overcome the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina through conversation and agreement.
“This is a noble appeal, a last-resort action, a kind of SOS in a dreadful situation brought about by the political leadership of the Bosniak people, with the support and assistance of outside forces. It is also a necessary action that must be understood and accepted by all those responsible for the situation in and around Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially by the signatories and guarantors of the Dayton Agreement,” Jovanović emphasized.
He said that the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the period after the signing of the Dayton Agreement, developed contrary to its core ideas—namely, that after the war, in conditions of peace, a solid, mutually acceptable, and internationally responsible behavior would be established with the good will of all sides, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
“However, this did not happen because the key provisions of the Agreement were practically unacceptable to the Bosniak political side from the start, which was met with approval by their Western partners. As a result, the agreement was allowed to be gradually but fundamentally undermined and altered to benefit one side and to the detriment of the other—Republika Srpska,” he stated.
Jovanović noted that this culminated in a direct quasi-judicial action against the leadership of Republika Srpska, including President Dodik, which was the final straw that threatened the foundations and goals of the Dayton Agreement.
“For that reason, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement, Dodik issued a public appeal to the other side and to the international community, stating that the time has come to put an end to this negative trend, which favors one side over the other, and to overcome the current situation—which is potentially dangerous for both Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region—through open and sincere dialogue between the two sides, with understanding and support from the international actors,” he said.
President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik addressed a special session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska two days ago, marking 30 years since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Source: RTRS
