Serbian Defence Minister Bratislav Gašić told Srna that attempts to revise the Dayton Peace Agreement, contrary to the interests of the constituent peoples and entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, could trigger regional destabilization.
Gašić also stressed that various forms of extremism and radicalization, including those motivated by religion, pose security challenges at the national, regional, and global levels.
“Their emergence in Serbia and the region requires institutional cooperation, information exchange, and action in accordance with international law and legislation,” Gašić said.
He emphasized that Serbia maintains special ties with Republika Srpska, in line with the Dayton Agreement and the Agreement on the Establishment of Special Parallel Relations.
Pointing out that Serbia is committed to peace, stability, and regional cooperation, Gašić said that Serbia’s approach to Republika Srpska is based on respect for international agreements, dialogue, and the belief that a culture of remembrance is an important component of overall social cohesion and reconciliation—while respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which Republika Srpska is an inseparable part.
“Given that one of Serbia’s national interests is the protection of the Serb people wherever they live, the survival of the Serb people in Republika Srpska and their cultural and economic prosperity are of exceptional importance to Serbia,” Gašić said.
In his assessment, changes taking place globally—including numerous conflicts and the increasingly frequent disregard for international law—negatively affect regional security and, consequently, the security of Serbia.
“Separatism openly manifested in our Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, and supported by a number of states in contravention of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, directly threatens Serbia’s national interests,” Gašić said.
He noted that the security of Serbia and the entire region is also negatively affected by the unwillingness of the provisional Pristina institutions to engage in dialogue and seek a compromise solution.
“Serbia will continue to protect and advance its national interests through cooperation with other states and international organizations, striving to be constructive in resolving all outstanding issues. It will also continue to closely monitor security developments and take appropriate measures to protect and realize its defence interests,” Gašić said.
He emphasized that cooperation in the field of security and defence is one of the key factors in ensuring peace, good-neighbourly relations, stability, and democratic development.
Gašić said that cooperation between the Serbian Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Defence within the Council of Ministers takes place within the framework of international law and signed agreements in areas of common interest, particularly military-to-military and military education cooperation.
“Although cooperation in the previous period was very good, with room for further improvement, bilateral defence cooperation is currently limited by a unilateral decision of the Ministry of Defence within the Council of Ministers to participation in multilateral activities, as well as to the education of representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the University of Defence in Belgrade,” Gašić said.
He added that Serbia advocates strengthening security, as well as economic and cultural progress.
“Cooperation in the field of defence is in the interest of both Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Serbian Ministry of Defence expects an improvement in cooperation between the two ministries, as well as between the Serbian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Gašić said.
He concluded that, with the aim of enhancing cooperation, mutual trust should be strengthened and expert dialogue and bilateral activities intensified to address contemporary security challenges and threats.
“Such cooperation, guided by mutual respect and trust, contributes to stability not only in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but across the entire region,” Gašić explained.
Source: RTRS
