The adoption of the Resolution on strengthening the political position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Croatian Parliament does not represent an expression of good-neighborly cooperation. On the contrary, it is unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the sovereign and independent state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such procedures are not in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law, including the principles of sovereign equality of states and non-interference in their internal affairs, contained in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), announced the Cabinet of the Chairman of the BiH Presidency, Denis Bećirović.
“The Republic of Croatia has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Matters related to the internal political and constitutional organization of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be decided exclusively by its state institutions, in accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and applicable laws.
The modern international order rests on the UN Charter, which in Article 2, among other things, confirms the principles of sovereign equality of all states, respect for their political independence and territorial integrity, as well as the obligation to refrain from actions that encroach on matters within the internal jurisdiction of another state. The Declaration on the Principles of International Law on Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the UN Charter (Declaration from 1970) further elaborates on the aforementioned principles. Namely, the Declaration from 1970 confirms that any form of political, economic or other pressure that tries to influence the free exercise of the sovereign rights of another state or to change the decisions it makes within its exclusive jurisdiction is prohibited. Likewise, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 affirms the sovereign among the ten fundamental principles of European security equality of states, inviolability of borders, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs and the obligation of states to develop mutual relations in the spirit of mutual respect and good-neighborly cooperation. Today, these principles represent generally accepted rules of international law and bind all states.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia have a common interest in developing their relations on the basis of international law, mutual respect and good neighborly cooperation. Respect for international public law cannot be selective or depend on political circumstances. The principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence and non-interference in the internal affairs of states represent the norms on which the international legal order rests. Their consistent compliance is not an expression of political goodwill, but an international legal obligation of every state,” the statement said.
