The Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović and the Member of the Presidency of BiH Denis Bećirović held separate meetings with the Special Envoy of the Republic of France for the Western Balkans Rene Troccaz.
Željka Cvijanović assessed the non-paper on BiH, co-authored by France, as unacceptable, saying that it was not based on realistic grounds and that it contributed to the further destabilization of the situation in BiH.
She stressed that the future of BiH cannot be based on the dominance of one but on the equality of all constituent peoples, as stipulated in the Constitution and the Dayton Agreement.
In this context, Cvijanović, as stated in the statement, “pointed to unconstitutional attempts to privatize joint institutions by Bosniak representatives, especially in the field of foreign policy, which severely undermine trust between peoples”.
“Regarding the European integration of BiH, she stressed that this process is only possible if all levels of government are involved and visible, without the interference of unelected foreigners who, with their illegal activities, undermine the work of domestic institutions and democratically elected representatives. She pointed out that it is unacceptable for a foreign bureaucrat, beyond the mandate given to him by the Dayton Agreement, to impose his unilateral decisions in a country where he does not represent a single voter,” Željka Cvijanović’s office said.
She said that she expects the EU “to encourage everyone in BiH to strengthen the democratic capacities of all levels of government, instead of tolerating such anomalies and usurpations by an unelected foreigner, whose actions have destroyed internal dialogue and increased mistrust between the constituent peoples.”
Bećirović expressed gratitude to Troccaz for the consistent support that the Republic of France and its President Macron provide to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He especially thanked the Republic of France for its active engagement within the EU and the UN, as well as bilaterally, all with the aim of eliminating threats to the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, peace and security.
Bećirović emphasized that the proactive role of France, as one of the leading members of the EU and NATO, is of enormous importance for our country, especially at a time when the brutal attacks by the irresponsible leadership of the Bosnian entity of RS on the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina are ongoing.
In light of the celebration of three decades of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bećirović emphasized that French engagement in the Western Balkans is important not only for preserving peace, but also for strengthening the Euro-Atlantic perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina sees the Republic of France as one of the key partners in achieving strategic goals – membership in NATO and the EU and strengthening regional cooperation.
Bećirović specifically pointed out that the final and binding decisions of the Constitutional Court of BiH must be respected.
“It is an independent and professional institution that, in these difficult times, adopted all decisions unanimously and based on legal facts. The Entity Assembly of RS was obliged to appoint two judges to the Constitutional Court of BiH. Unfortunately, they are violating the fundamental provisions of the Constitution of BiH and are even trying to obstruct the work of this institution. This is a completely wrong approach, because the Constitutional Court of BiH functions in accordance with the Constitution of BiH and in the interests of all citizens and peoples,” he said.
Both sides confirmed their readiness to continue open political dialogue, and to strengthen bilateral cooperation and joint action, which includes the European future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the stability and security of the Western Balkans.
