President of the EU Council, Antonio Costa, held a meeting yesterday with the Members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the press conference following the meeting, a discussion arose between Denis Bećirović and Željka Cvijanović.
At the end of the press conference, Bećirović thanked Costa for his visit but referenced Cvijanović’s earlier claims that she is “representing Republika Srpska.”
“The members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina represent neither the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity nor Republika Srpska. Once elected to the Presidency, they represent the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not the sum of two entities. The state of Bosnia and Herzegovina existed long before the entity and can continue to exist without the entity, but the entity can never exist without the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Bećirović said.
However, instead of ending the press conference, Cvijanović returned to the lectern and responded to her colleague.
“Without the entity, Bosnia and Herzegovina is neither whole nor ‘the only one.’ We are elected separately. The Serbian Member of the Presidency is elected in Republika Srpska and, according to the Constitution, is obliged to protect the interests of Republika Srpska in a joint body that serves as the collective head of the country – the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I would never usurp the rights of my colleagues or speak on behalf of those who did not vote for me, but when the three of us reach an agreement, only then do we speak on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
However, her claim is not completely accurate. Although the member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Serb population is elected from the territory of Republika Srpska, every member of this institution primarily represents the citizens, as reflected in the solemn oath taken by each individual assuming this position.
“I hereby swear to conscientiously carry out the responsibilities which are entrusted upon me, respect the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, implement the General Framework Agreement for Peace and its Annexes in their entirety, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, and protect the interest and equality of all peoples and citizens,” states this solemn declaration signed by Cvijanović, Klix.ba writes.
