British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Julian Reilly spoke about the attack on the constitutional order of our country, the security situation and the solution to the biggest crisis since the signing of the Dayton Agreement.
He condemned the move of the President of the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik, namely the signing of the decree on the promulgation of the law on the prohibition of the activities of state judicial and police institutions.
“As the Steering Board of Ambassadors of the Peace Implementation Council has already said in two of its statements since the beginning of this process – these types of actions are clearly unconstitutional, but it is also very important to say right from the start that there are state institutions within the Dayton Peace Agreement that very clearly state what the constitutional order of this country is and it is very crucial that everyone abides by the law,” he emphasized for Dnevnik D on Federal Television.
Protection of the state
He further emphasizes that state institutions are there to protect the state and, above all, expects that the independence of the judiciary is respected, but also that state institutions perform their functions at every level.
“The international community has been very clear about our strong support for all state institutions and to enable them to do their job to protect the integrity, unity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single state consisting of two entities. None of that is in question. Republika Srpska exists as an entity, as does the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the very nature of the existence of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. No one from the international community, not even at the local level, is saying that any entity is under threat, so this is simply keeping Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single state – the state institutions have all the authority they need to do their job,” he said.
Speaking about the security situation in the country, Reilly said that he recognizes that people are concerned and that the political situation is tense, but what we are talking about now is a political crisis.
“There have been very clear statements from EUFOR and NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo about the fact that we have a stable and peaceful situation so far, but it should also be added that a stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina is entirely in the national interest of the United Kingdom. A calm and measured response that allows state institutions to be responsive is the key to resolving this political crisis through political structures and state institutions that are formed to protect the interests of citizens and the state,” Reilly stressed.
America a key ally
He also assessed that it was a great pity that political blockades by certain parties prevented the faster adoption of necessary reform laws that would advance progress on the European path.
He also analyzed the current situation in the world after the election of Donald Trump as the new US president.
“As my Prime Minister has said – the United States remains a key ally. We also work closely with our partners in the EU. It is clear that Europe is facing a time of challenges, the most challenging in the last few decades, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has increased tensions for everyone, including the people of this region, and so we are working very closely with all of our allies to simply move forward – to determine a geopolitical situation that would provide security for all of Europe, including this region,” Reilly said.
He added that it is important to say that all members of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council have supported and spoken strongly about the recent developments here in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“We are united and very clear about the need to preserve Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.
