The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina has sent a protest note to Hungary because the country’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjárto received Milorad Dodik on an official visit as the President of the Republika Srpska, although he is no longer the President.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses its strongest protest regarding yesterday’s public statements by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Hungary Péter Szijjárt, as well as regarding the official reception of Milorad Dodik, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who was stripped of his mandate as President of the Bosnian entity of Republika Srpska by the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” they stated.
As they added, Minister Szijjártó incorrectly presented Milorad Dodik as the President of the Bosnian entity, although, in accordance with the decisions of the competent institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, he does not hold any official official mandate within the executive branch of government on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina points out with particular concern that during yesterday’s visit to Budapest, during a public appearance, and in the presence of Minister Szijjártó, Milorad Dodik advocated secession and threatened the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, without the expected reaction of Minister Szijjártó,” they added.
They emphasized that the aforementioned public statements, as well as the aforementioned official reception of Minister Szijjártó, are not in accordance with the basic principles of mutual respect and international diplomatic practice, and consider them offensive to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The comments of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary demonstrate disrespect for the institutional decisions and legislation of our country and contribute to creating an atmosphere of distrust towards the political intentions of the Republic of Hungary. The Ministry takes this opportunity to reiterate its special appreciation to the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” it said.
