The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States House of Representatives discussed the Western Balkans on Tuesday, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The committee that the escalation between Serbia and Kosovo and the violence in the North of Kosovo is something that is alarming and that the parties urgently need to return to the negotiating table.
The Committee members condemned “the policy of secessionism of the entity of Republika Srpska and its leader Milorad Dodik. A US response is expected, sanctions are needed now,” the Committee said.
Europe cannot be safe as the situation is brewing in the Western Balkans, and the US cannot allow Russia to fill the vacuum due to lack of progress, they noted.
When it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said that “regrettably, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik remains focused on dismantling the Dayton Peace Agreement and the state constitution. Dodik’s persistent, secessionist, and anti-democratic actions threaten the stability, security, and prosperity of the country and the wider region.”
“We will continue to call out these actions and hold to account anyone who undermines the Dayton Peace Agreement or threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multi-ethnic character of the country. We will also continue intensive efforts to bolster the international community’s commitment to upholding the Dayton PA, including rallying support for the European Union’s EUFOR ALTHEA mission. Further, we remain firm in supporting the Office of the High Representative’s use of Bonn Powers to counter threats to the Dayton Agreement,” he added.
Ann Wagner, a member of the House Committee criticized Dodik and said that the US must make it a priority to fight against anti-democratic actors like him.
An unmistakable message should be sent to all those who threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH, she said.
According to Wagner, Everyone must be sanctioned.
“Dodik’s unilateral behavior and the withdrawal of the judges from the Constitutional Court of BiH is a real sign of escalation in his campaign to fight the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Wagner.
She recalled Dodik threatened to hold an independence referendum by the end of the year which would destroy the foundations of peace in the Western Balkans.
