Attacks on the constitutional integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) by leading politicians from Republika Srpska (RS), who are deliberately weakening the state, are unacceptable and pose a threat to the security and stability of BiH and the entire region. They also block further progress in the European Union (EU) accession process and endanger the country’s future in the EU, according to a joint position of Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Germany’s Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Luhrmann. As announced, the two countries will impose sanctions on the leadership of RS.
The two ministers discussed the situation in BiH at a joint meeting in Sarajevo and emphasized that urgent joint steps must be taken against those responsible for the constitutional crisis in the country. They shared this assessment in their talks with the Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of BiH, Borjana Kristo.
“Austria and Germany, therefore, as they stated, in close coordination with other partners, are firmly opposing the responsible politicians from the RS entity. To that end, measures are being launched that will, in the future, prevent three responsible politicians from RS from entering Austria and Germany,” they emphasized.
They called on everyone in BiH to contribute to de-escalation and stability to avoid further deterioration of the situation.
“It is necessary to remove obstacles to progress in the EU accession process and overcome the reform deadlock,” they stated, urging all political decision-makers to bravely take further steps toward EU reforms.
They assessed that Milorad Dodik has crossed red lines with his secessionist moves.
“With this, he threatens the security, stability, constitutional order, and territorial integrity of this Western Balkan country. Such behavior will no longer be tolerated. At the same time, we are convinced that BiH’s future is in the EU. With this, we also want to send a political signal and assure all pro-European forces that we continue to firmly support them in their efforts for BiH’s EU membership,” said Minister Meinl-Reisinger.
Minister of State Luhrmann emphasized that those responsible for attacks on the constitutional order of BiH are endangering peace, security in the region, and BiH’s future in the EU.
“That is why our measures are directed precisely against these individuals. The doors of the EU have never been so open! We call on all those responsible to return to the path of EU reforms and continue taking further steps on it. BiH belongs in the EU, and Germany will continue to stand by BiH in this,” Luhrmann stated.
