The Dutch government said it welcomed the European Union’s decision to adopt a Strategic Compass, which should address Europe’s defense and security, but stressed that the document contained unacceptable wording concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Although it was emphasized that the adoption of the document is a good move, the Netherlands points out that linking the term “constituent peoples” to Bosnia and Herzegovina is completely discriminatory.
“The Netherlands welcomes the adoption of the Strategic Compass for Security and Defense. However, we regret the fact that the text has been amended to include references to the discriminatory concept of constituent peoples,” the statement said.
They explain that the Netherlands remains committed to the principles of equality and non-discrimination of all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Netherlands wishes to reaffirm that its agreement to the Strategic Compass does not in any way signify a change in the general position of the state which seeks to ensure equality and non-discrimination of all citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the Sejdic-Finci ruling, ”they explain.
Finally, Dutch officials said no law, which further deepens ethnic divisions, should be passed.
“We underline that no political or legal steps should be taken to make the implementation of the Sejdic-Finci judgment more challenging or to further deepen ethnic divisions in the country,” the Dutch envoy to the European Union said.
As Klix.ba has learned unofficially, this position of the Netherlands was also supported by Germany.
