The Office of the High Representative (OHR) has become an obstacle to internal dialogue in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russian Ambassador to BiH Igor Kalabuhov told RTRS.
Kalabuhov said that the principled position of the Russian Federation regarding Christian Schmidt is well known.
“And that is that he is illegitimate and that some of his decisions have caused the crisis in BiH,” Kalabuhov said.
He noted that, to his knowledge, Schmidt will not attend the UN Security Council session tomorrow at which Russia, as chair, will present Republika Srpska’s report.
The Government of Republika Srpska’s report will be presented to the Security Council by Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, who will preside over the session.
“As for the principled position of the Russian Federation, we think that the OHR has already, so to say, outlived its role. It has become an obstacle to internal dialogue. Our general view is that the OHR was created in completely different political and geopolitical realities and that it no longer needs to exist, because it blocks the development of internal dialogue and the overall progress of BiH in a broad sense,” he added.
Kalabuhov: US sanction lift reflects balanced approach to Republika Srpska and the FBiH
Commenting on the U.S. administration’s decision under President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Milorad Dodik, his close associates and other individuals and entities from Republika Srpska, Kalabuhov said the move is positive because it can be seen as a signal of a balanced approach to the situation in Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH.
“We have always maintained that what is called ‘sanctions’ is not actually that, because only the UN Security Council can officially impose sanctions,” Kalabuhov said, stressing that these were unilateral restrictions imposed by the previous U.S. administration.
He added that the conditions are being created for discussions in BiH to be conducted objectively, in a balanced and productive manner.
Kalabuhov: Russia a reliable gas partner
Kalabuhov emphasised that the Russian Federation is a reliable partner on gas.
“Cooperation is constructive between economic entities. We are against politicising this issue. We must take into account EU decisions, but we hope there will be no burden on gas consumers,” Kalabuhov said.
On Ukraine
Kalabuhov said Russia is ready for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.
“Our conditions are known. We are ready for a peaceful agreement. If there is no agreement, we will accomplish the objectives of the Special Military Operation. Everything is proceeding at its own pace,” he said.
Source: RTRS
