Constructive internal dialogue, respecting the Constitution and the rule of law, clearly identified dangers and a warning that escalation and the spread of the crisis to the region will not be allowed – this is the summary of the NATO Declaration that emerged from a series of discussions during the spring assembly of this alliance, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
Our collective responsibility is to ensure that the promise from Dayton about the permanent commitment of North America and Europe to a peaceful, prosperous and multiethnic Southeast Europe is fully realized, the organizers stated. The call for dialogue to the actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina was sent with a warning. The country is at a critical turning point. Secessionist rhetoric and moves from Republika Srpska are a threat to the constitutional order of the country. Serbia requested that the document not mention RS.
“Even Serbia’s attempt to incorporate an amendment did not pass, which showed a very clear commitment and conclusion about how the situation is seen within the NATO assembly when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” says political analyst Tanja Topić.
Actors from Bosnia and Herzegovina addressed the audience from Dayton and remained steadfast in their positions, says journalist Ranko Mavrak. He highlights the conclusion from the NATO assembly about increasing pressure on those who destroy the constitutional order.
“Another important message is that the Americans are not giving up on Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that they want the EU to take on a greater share of responsibility for the situation, and I think that is also an important message, and that the cards are being laid in a new way. At this moment, the EU, especially its most influential states, have a special responsibility to show that they are able to control the situation on the European continent,” Mavrak believes.
In conditions of distrust, it is difficult to expect any result from the internal dialogue, and according to Mavrak, it could only happen after the end of the court proceedings against the leaders of Republika Srpska. Whoever is the actor in the dialogue must first achieve a basic consensus.
“Whenever we see any official in public, they just say: ‘Respect the Dayton Agreement, it ensures peace’, usually threatening sanctions if we move forward. So, with this kind of rhetoric, with these kinds of actions, I’m really not sure how far we can go,” says BIRN BiH journalist Selma Melez.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned in a more severe tone that the crisis from Bosnia and Herzegovina will not be allowed to spread to the Western Balkans or beyond, and that internal leadership is necessary in moving forward towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
