Answering a question from a member of the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament Alicia Kearns, the Prime Minister of the UK Rishi Sunak said yesterday that he fully supports the sovereignty and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and that he will consider options for expanding cooperation with EUFOR.
In her speech, Kearns said that the international community has failed to deter when it comes to the Western Balkans and that this is best seen through the reaction of the European Union (EU) and the United States (U.S.) and the punishment of Kosovo in the face of Serbian antagonism and Dodik’s secessionist rhetoric in BiH.
“As Prime Minister, will you now commit to rejoining EUFOR, which includes Turkey and Chile, and are you also considering lobbying for an extension of Kosovo Force’s (KFOR) mandate in Kosovo to deal with the illegal supply of arms across the border from Serbia into Kosovo that Belgrade is illegally funding and arming militants in Kosovo,” asked Kearns.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the UK, answered that he first emphasizes the territorial integrity and sovereignty of BiH.
“We will continue to take steps against those who threaten it. We are, and I am particularly concerned about the situation in the north of Kosovo, which you are familiar with, and we strongly condemn the unprovoked attacks by demonstrators on KFOR members,” said Sunak.
He said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has already told the Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Serbia that the leaders in Pristina and Belgrade have an obligation to reduce tensions and prevent further violence.
“As for EUFOR, we see EUFOR as crucial for peace and security in BiH. Our non-participation does not reflect the importance of the mission to establish peace and stability in the region, and we will continue to explore the possibilities of expanding cooperation with the mission,” Sunak added, Klix.ba reports.
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