The meeting between the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and António Costa once again exposed what Republika Srpska officials describe as attempts by political representatives from Sarajevo to present their own positions as if they reflect the views of all peoples and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Presidency Chairman Denis Bećirović again linked the European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina with NATO integration, despite the absence of consensus on that issue within the country. He also reiterated the position that Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot function without the Office of the High Representative and a High Representative with full powers.
Serb member of the Presidency Željka Cvijanović responded that Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot exist without its entities. António Costa stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina is no longer where it was in 1995 and that progress has been made.
At the beginning of the meeting, differing views became evident. Bećirović stated that, alongside EU integration, NATO membership is also a strategic goal of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He accused the leadership of Republika Srpska of allegedly blocking processes and claimed they listen to Moscow instead of Brussels. Cvijanović responded that NATO integration was not a topic of discussion during the meeting with Costa.
Unlike Bećirović, who called for the continued presence of the OHR and full powers for the High Representative, Cvijanović advocated dialogue among domestic political actors and welcomed the position of the United States that the role of the OHR should come to an end.
- Without the High Representative there would be no mechanism capable of preventing instability, and weakening that institution would endanger peace and stability. The Peace Implementation Council should appoint a successor and preserve the existing mandate and authorities – Bećirović said.
Cvijanović replied:
- The only guarantee of survival lies in citizens, institutions, and dialogue. No external factor can preserve a country. This is also supported by the United States. Our position is that the OHR should be closed. We advocate sovereignty and the ability to reach solutions independently – she stated.
Costa also called for dialogue, agreement, adoption of the remaining reform laws in the field of justice, the appointment of a chief negotiator, and the adoption of the Reform Agenda.
- We are only days away from another meeting of the Peace Implementation Council. Bosnia and Herzegovina is no longer where it was in 1995 – Costa said.
During the exchange, Bećirović stated:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina is older than the entities. Bosnia and Herzegovina can exist without the entities.
Cvijanović responded by referring to the constitutional structure of the country:
- We are elected separately, according to the Constitution. Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot exist without the entities either. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a single electoral unit. I would never usurp the right of my colleagues by speaking on their behalf – she said.
According to the report, the discussion highlighted fundamentally different views on the future constitutional and political organization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the role of international institutions, and the future of the OHR.
Source: RTRS
