Members of the Presidency of BiH, Dr. Denis Bećirović and Željko Komšić, are in London, where they met with the UK Minister for European Countries, North America, and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty.
According to a statement from Bećirović’s office, he informed Doughty about the serious security threats Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing, which have intensified further in recent months.
He added that these are organized and systematic attempts to undermine the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its institutions by the leadership of the BiH entity Republika Srpska, which openly denies the decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH, threatens secession, and demands the expulsion of international representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This is the most severe attack by the leadership of the RS entity on the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Dayton Peace Agreement as a whole, which not only halts reform processes but directly threatens the peace and security of the country and the region. Therefore, support for the efficient and professional work of an independent judiciary is of utmost importance for stabilizing the situation in the country,” Bećirović stated.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UK, as well as enhancing cooperation in the fields of economy, security, defense, and other areas. He thanked Doughty for supporting the “Remembering Srebrenica UK” event, which once again commemorated the anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks in and around Srebrenica in London this year.
Minister Doughty highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the necessity of working to strengthen state institutions. He particularly emphasized the importance of respecting the constitutional order and the rule of law, as well as removing obstacles to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration processes. Doughty also expressed the UK’s strong commitment to a democratic and multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina, its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security of the state and its citizens.
He expressed special interest in overcoming the current challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Doughty stressed that the UK, as host of the upcoming Berlin Process summit, will work diligently to ensure that this event serves as an effective platform to improve regional relations and thereby stabilize the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also affirmed the UK’s firm commitment to continuing support for Bosnia and Herzegovina through various programs and initiatives aimed at advancing democratic processes and the rule of law, including a strategic partnership with the EU and joint projects focused on stabilizing the situation and intensifying reform processes.
Written by our correspondent D.I.
